Exopterygota Collection

Moss mimic stick insect (Trychopeplus laciniatus) showing amazing camouflage on mossy vine, photographed in tropical rainforest in mobile field studio against a white background

Thorny devil stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata), Willaumez Peninsula, New Britain, Papua New Guinea, December

Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis), Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol, UK

Leaf insect (Phyllium sp. ) camouflaged in rainforest, Mulu National Park, Borneo
Leaf insect (Phyllium sp.) camouflaged in rainforest, Mulu National Park, Borneo

False-coloured scanning electron micrograph of a Thrip's (Thysanoptera) head, the bulging compound eyes can be seen on either side of the head

Small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria) with three tiny (1mm) Thrips (Order Thysanoptera) on a petal, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) stigma open to receive pollen for fertilization, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK, July

Close up of a Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis), Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol, UK. Captive

Macleays Spectre (Extatosoma tiaratum) captive at the University of Texas

Stick Insect (Phasmatodea) on a stick

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Exopterygota, the order of insects that includes the fascinating world of stick insects, thrips, and leaf insects, showcases an impressive array of adaptations for survival. From the Moss Mimic Stick Insect (Trychopeplus laciniatus) perfectly blending into mossy vines, to the Thorny Devil Stick Insect (Eurycantha calcarata) of New Britain, these creatures have mastered the art of disguise. The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis), now thriving at the Bristol Zoo Gardens, once came back from the brink of extinction. Leaf insects, like those found in Mulu National Park, Borneo, blend seamlessly into their rainforest surroundings. Even the tiny Thrips (Order Thysanoptera), just 1mm long, have bulging compound eyes and sensory hairs that help them navigate their environment. The Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) stigma opens to receive pollen, while a Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis) lays its eggs in damp vermiculite. The Macleay's Spectre (Extatosoma tiaratum) and other stick insects, like the one on a stick, continue to amaze us with their unique abilities to blend in and survive.