Giant Leaf Insect

• It walks while rocking back and forth to mimic a leaf stirred by the breeze, so that the camouflage does not break down as it moves.
• Only females are known: it reproduces by parthenogenesis, and the unfertilised eggs always give rise to more females.
• Its eggs look like seeds and are dropped to the ground, where they lie for months before hatching, one more layer of camouflage.
• Its mimicry is among the most complete in the animal kingdom: the flattened, broadened body imitates a leaf, with marked venation, irregular edges as if nibbled by insects, and brown patches simulating dry or diseased areas.
• And it adds movement: it sways rhythmically as it walks, imitating a leaf stirred by the breeze.
• It is one of the largest leaf insect species: the female exceeds 10 cm.
• Only females are known. The species is obligately parthenogenetic, and to this day no male has been described with certainty.
• The eggs also imitate seeds, in shape and surface, and are dispersed by falling to the forest floor.
• Its front legs bear flattened, blade-like expansions that complete the outline, so that the silhouette of the whole animal, legs included, looks like a leaf.

Skeleton type

Invertebrate - chitin exoskeleton (insect)

Habitat & environment

Canopy and understorey of Malaysian rainforest

Sources consulted: Hennemann et al., revisiones de Phylliidae; Phasmid Study Group; Museo de Historia Natural de Londres