Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreign

This little stick-bug came to visit my bedroom one summer, and I found it quite appropriate for the foreign photo challenge.

These stick-bugs are insects from the Phasmatodea family. The ordinal name is derived from the Ancient Greek φάσμα phasma, meaning an apparition or phantom, as their natural camouflage can make them difficult to spot. In nature they camouflage themselves by forming part of trees, looking like and extension of a branch or the leaves. But in my picture he is in a foreign place, not blending into the background. Standing out like a foreign entity or an alien from a science fiction film. These creatures can be found all over the world in warmer zones, especially the tropics and subtropics.

More articles and a video on Phasmatodea or Stick-bugs!!!

• Phasmatodea (wikipedia.org)
• 10 facts stick insects (about.com)
• The Worlds Longest Insect – Titan Stick Insect (youtube.com)

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