Diapheromera femorata
WALKINGSTICKS (Diapheromeridae)

Description
The males are about 3 inches or 75 mm long and the females are 3 3/4 inches or 95 mm in length. The body is very elongated. They are wingless. The males are very thin and brown in color. The females are greenish-brown and have a thicker body. The antennae are long, about 2/3 of their body length. They have both claws and suction pads on their feet. This species was identified by volunteer experts at BugGuide.

Occurrence
They are probably common at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. They are often seen walking on the sides of buildings. They could also be seen on oaks and hazelnut trees.

Comments
The females drop up to 50 eggs on the forest floor. The eggs overwinter in leaf litter and hatch in spring. The nymphs become adults during summer and fall (simple metamorphosis). They eat the foliage of deciduous trees and shrubs, especially oaks and hazelnuts.

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