Phasmid Study Group

There have many recent reports (2007) of the Indian Stick Insect (walking-stick) in the San Diego area, especially around Orange County.

 

In April 2007 I contacted the San Diego Zoo, where Mike Bostwick carried out the Indian Walking Stick (IWS) Survey Project. This survey went from Oct, 2002 through July, 2005. In the last
year IWS's were found but not in abundance and not recorded. Damage has
been limited in the last year.

 

A total of 38 individuals were recorded during that time and
usually only one per entry on a specific host plant. There were also
quite a large number of IWS found on host plant material in the Balboa
Park area which is adjacent to the Zoo. The plants associated with them
will be included in the following list.

 

Host Plant List

Schefflera arboricola

Eugenia paniculata

unknown vine

Rhapis excela

English Ivy - 8 different locations on this plant type

(Hedera helix)

Hibiscus sp

Archontophoenix sp

various orchids

Pittosporum undulatum

Raphiolepsis sp

Hydrangea quercifolia

Cestrum nocturnum

Viola odorata

Justicia spp

Pachysandra lutea

Abutilon hybrids

Camellia hybrids

Puncia granatum

Ilex aquifolium

Alstromeria hybrids

Boehmeria nivea

Adiantum sp

anthurium spp

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Ruellia spp

Ligularia spp

Fuchsia spp

Rhododendron hybrids

Impatiens hybrids

Aguilegia hybrids