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Coconut Stick Insect, Phasmid

Graeffea crouani

Photo by AlbertKang
Published on Project Noah
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-18.2535, 178.066

Field Notes

Description:

Phasmid of the species, Graeffea crouani, also called Coconut Stick Insect among the locals as they are mostly found among Cocount trees and considered as Pests.
Both Males and Females have small wings and not capable of flight.
Males have bigger wings which he opens up as defensive display when touched. Females not capable to do that.
This species is capable to spray a chemical from glands behind their head. The liquid is quite strong and doesn't smells foul or bad.
Pic#1 - Adult Male in defensive or threat display showing nice pink wings
Pic#2 - Adult Female, brown
Pic#3 - Adult Female, green
Pic#4 - Pair of Adults, smaller brown is the Male and bigger green is the Female
Pic#5 - 2 nymphs in different colours

Habitat:

Found mainly on Cocounut Trees and also other palms and pandanus.
Saw more than a hundred of them within the garden area of the Resort I am staying at.

Notes:

New Organism to Project Noah

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)

Thanks for the nomination, @Ashley :)
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Thanks, @Ingrid3 for your appreciation :)
What a fabulous sequence! Great images of the cryptic vs. flashy display!
Very interesting. Love the first shot. Thank you Albert.

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