Walking Stick, in entomology, a popular name for any species of the family Phasmidae, from the fact that they resemble dry twigs and leaves so closely that, except for their motion, it is difficult to believe they are really living animals. The resemblance to leaves is further increased by the development of veins in the insect's wings (although some species are wingless) into patterns which resemble the veins of the leaves they mimic. They are natives of subtropical and the warmer temperate regions, and walk gently among the branches of trees, reposing in the sun, with their long, antennae-like legs stretched out in front; called also animated sticks, and walking straws. It is principally at night that they move about in search of food.
