The maximum body length is 28 centimetres. As is typical of ghost stick insects, the females are larger than the males. Both sexes are green or brown in colour. The males also have a narrow, turquoise-coloured line running along the side of their body.
The giant Malayan stick insect hangs from a twig by its middle and hind legs, stretching its front pair of legs outwards. This makes it look like a twig.
Another defence mechanism is autotomy, the deliberate shedding of body parts. If a predator seizes a Giant Malayan stick insect by one of its legs, it can shed that leg to escape the danger. However, this mechanism is energetically costly, as adult insects are unable to regenerate lost limbs. Only nymphs (juveniles) are able to partially regrow their legs during moulting.
Reproduction is normally sexual, but in the absence of a male it can also take place via parthenogenesis. When laying eggs, the females ‘fling’ them away with a powerful jerk of their abdomen. This ensures the eggs are scattered at random, reducing the risk of a predator finding them all.
Taxonomy
Phasmatidae, genus Phobaeticus (6 species)
Habitat
tropical rainforests on the Malay Peninsula
Body length
females up to 28 cm, males up to 15 cm
