Tianfu Nature calendar ｜ Walking "dead branches" (July 13, 2022)

If you see a slender "dead bamboo branch" in the wild, don't panic -you may encounter the "camouflage master" bamboo worm in the insect world. In the Chengdu Huaxi Insect Museum located in Dujiangyan, there is a "longest insect in the world", which is a bamboo insect that is like half a meter long branch.

Don't blame you to be confused. Bamboo insects can imitate the patterns, branches, and even tree tumors on the branches. Therefore, it is also called "Walking Stick". In addition, bamboo insects often "add drama" to themselves. For example, when the wind is in the wind, there are rhythmly swinging back and forth, like a branch swaying in the wind.

Most bamboo insects are dark brown, and a few are green or dark green, which is easy to hide their own color. According to changes in the surrounding environment, they can also regulate their body color, better integrate into the environment, and avoid the "reconnaissance" of natural enemies. Their eggs are also very similar to the seeds scattered in the jungle, which also plays a role in protecting offspring.

The way of survival of bamboo insects is more than that. If they are unfortunately exposed and the predators grab their legs, they will stage a "strong man break their wrists" and actively break their limbs. However, this disability is not lifelong, and the lost legs will grow back again next time. If the lives of bamboo insects are threatened, they will also expand colorful hind wings, or spit out a kind of liquid that exudes bad smells to scare the enemy. When necessary, bamboo insects will "pretend to be dead", falling from the branches, and motionless to ensure your safety.

What's even more amazing is that in addition to the gender reproduction, ghost bamboo insects can also be reproduced alone, without the participation of male bamboo insects, the mother of bamboo insect mother spawns alone, and hatch the small bamboo insects. However, all females have hatched in this way.