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Leaf Insect
Chitoniscus lobipes
-18.0196, 178.429
Field Notes
Description:
One of the lesser known Leaf Insect from the family Phyllidae. The more common Leaf Insect being the genus Phyllium.
The genus, Chitoniscus are only known from South Pacific of which 3 species are known from Fiji. This Spotting is Chitoniscus lobipes, identified by the shape of the abdomen of the Female.
There are hardly any photo documents of this probably rare species from Fiji, although one species was featured in the Stamps of Fiji.
Fairly small in size, less than 6 cm for Female, Males are around 4 cm in size. Mostly green in colour with yellow markings, making it look like a leaf. They have wings, but not capable of flight. Pics #1 & #2 are of the same individual, an adult Female. Pic#3 is of a Female nymph, where they have 2 transparent spots on their abdomen and when they move/walk, they curled up their abdomen as shown in the picture, making the spots looks like false eyes. Pic#4 is of an adult Male, they have full wings and capable of short flight, and like other Male Leaf Insects, they have very long antennae, which is longer than their body.
Habitat:
Most likely endemic to Fiji
Notes:
This could possibly be the first photo document of this species, Chitoniscus lobipes.
New Organism to Project Noah
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