Gardening

Walkingsticks are among the longest insects in the world. The two-striped walkingstick is often found in mating pairs and on occasion may become an unwelcome guest in the home.

Photo Credit: William M. Johnson

Unusual insect may become unwelcome guest in the home

By Dr. William M. Johnson, Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

June 28, 2007

Seminar on Snake Sense Mr. Tom Wilks will present a seminar on Snake Sense on Saturday, June 30, from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. Topics to be discussed include identification of area snakes; snakebite prevention and first aid; snake handling techniques and equipment; snake conservation; venom research and medical advances; and snakes as pets. Attendance by youth is encouraged; an adult must accompany children under 18 years. Pre-registration is required due to space limitations (phone 281-534-3413, ext 1-2 or e-mail GALV3@wt.net). Mr. Wilks has been collecting, studying, and photographing reptiles for over 50 years. He has worked as a zookeeper in the Reptile Department at the San Antonio Zoo and as a wildlife guide at the Bayou Wildlife Park in Dickinson. Mr. Wilks is a certified Texas Animal Control Officer and is a member of the East Texas Herpetological Society and also serves on the City of Webster Animal Control Board. No fee, but pre-registration is required as seating is limited (281-534-3413, ext. 1-2 or GALV3@wt.net.)

Answer: This was a very recent inquiry by e-mail. The homeowner had correctly identified the insect but was uncertain as to its range of occurrence. Indeed, the most common stick insect in Galveston County is the two-striped walkingstick (Anisomorpha buprestoides).

The two-striped walkingstick is also known as American walkingstick and musk mare. The latter common name is particularly apt as this species is capable of squirting a strong-smelling defensive spray that can be painfully irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. This insect is periodically submitted to the Galveston County Extension Office for identification during this time of year.

The two-striped walkingstick is an impressively large and stout insect. Females average about 2½ inches in length, while the males are smaller and more slender, averaging 1½ inches. These insects are typically dark brown with two yellowish stripes running along the length of their back.

Like all stick insects, the two-striped walkingstick is a plant feeder. Females have been reported to feed on a variety of landscape plants including crepe myrtle, roses, oaks, rosemary, and ligustrum. I have also seen them feeding on cigar plants—make that cigar plants in my backyard! I know of no reports of this species causing serious defoliation of plants in the landscape and control by insecticides is generally not recommended nor warranted.

Interestingly, two-striped walkingstick males (whether coupled to a female or free-roaming) have not been observed to feed when fully grown. I have also seen reports in the literature that the two-striped walkingstick can regenerate lost legs, which is fairly unusual among insects. Several mating pairs may occasionally be found in one location as evidenced in the e-mail of the concerned homeowner.

A few species of walkingsticks are capable of secreting a substance from glands located on the “shoulder” area (known as the meta-thorax). This secretion can cause an intense burning irritation of the eyes (and in some cases temporary blindness) and mouth of potential predators such as birds and mice.

There have been reports on the Internet containing wildly exaggerated claims that the two-striped walkingstick can spray impressively long distances. In reality they can force a stream from their body as far as a foot to 15 inches in distance. While several species of walkingsticks are kept as pets, the best thing to do if you encounter a walkingstick you’re not familiar with is to leave it alone. Be sure to alert young children who are curious to leave this insect alone.

I am not aware of any local residents having negative encounters with the two-striped walkingstick other than being a bit taken aback at first glance. Pets are likely to be at greater risk of being targeted. While most adult dogs are likely to be “wise” enough to just bark (as the homeowner’s dog did), puppies are less likely to exercise prudent restraint upon a first encounter with these insects.

In the unlikely event of an encounter with the defensive spray, the recommended treatment is to wash the eye with large amounts of water. For severe symptoms, a trip to the eye doctor or the vet may be necessary.

Question: Do you recommend use of fertilizer spikes around landscape trees? Mark B., Friendswood

Answer: While fertilizer spikes will not harm landscape trees, I do not recommend their use. Fertilizer spikes provide nutrients in a limited area while not providing any nutrients in the remaining area. The roots of most trees extend out as far as the limbs (known as the dip line) and in many cases, extend out much farther than the limbs.

Tree roots that absorb water and nutrients are also distributed fairly uniformly under a tree’s drip line. I recommend use of a complete fertilizer (such as 15-5-10) that is spread uniformly around the tree at the drip line.

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