I found this tiny Phasmid (about 7 cm in length) hanging onto the wall of our house late yesterday afternoon. Extatosoma tiaratum is known to sometimes mimic lichen as a camouflage at an early instar, however as our house wall is not covered in lichen it looked very exposed and vulnerable.
Very young Macleay’s Spectre
With the light rapidly fading we had trouble getting a satisfactory photo. A second attempt after dark with a torch as well as the camera flash has yielded better results. I haven’t adjusted the colour at all – it really does look quite green.
Very young Macleay’s Spectre showing its tail curving back towards its head
After the photo session we moved it onto a plant so it had a better chance of avoiding attack by predator. This morning it was back on the underside of the eaves; although the plant may have looked an okay place to us, it apparently wasn’t considered suitable by the Phasmid.
Allen
Barbara
You can take a Phasmida to plants but……
You are absolutely right Martha!