Wednesday, April 2, 2014

PINK WINGED PHASMA

I have never seen one of these creatures as they don't inhabit Western Australia but I thought how pretty and dainty it looks.  Hope it doesn't damage our gum trees too much.

CLASS: Insecta;   ORDER: Phasmatodea;   FAMILY: Phasmatidae;   GENUS: Podacanthus
SPECIES: typhon;  COMMON NAME  Pink-winged Phasma


The pink-winged phasma has striking pink wings with reddish pink veins and a green leading edge.  The front pair of wings are short and green.  The wing covers are pale green and ridged in the centre.  The mesothorax is short and narrow with numerous tubercles.  The body is long and pink above with the last segment green, with two long thin cerci.  Both males and females can fly.


It grows to a length of up to 20mm and feeds on leaves of various species of Eucalyptus trees. It is endemic to south-east Australia, in New South Wales and Victoria.  The eggs are small and ribbed with a knob on the end and look a bit like tiny pineapples.


My thanks to 'ozanimals' for the above information and Wikipedia for the photos.

9 comments:

  1. I have never seen one - and what incredibly pink wings it has. Thanks Mimsie. Something to look out for...

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    1. You'd have to check out gum trees to find them as gum leaves are apparently their favourite food. They are rather precious to look at aren't they. We don't have them over here in the West.

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  2. Those wings are so beautiful!
    The eggs do look like tiny pineapples, or even tiny hand grenades like GI Joe would carry. (He's an action figure toy popular with young boys last century)

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    1. Very unusual and so pretty.
      I too thought grenades when I found the picture of their eggs. So different to anything else I've seen.

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  3. Amazing and so very interesting, thank you Mimsie. I love finding out about insects in other parts of the world. This one is beautiful!

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    1. yvw Denise I enjoy sharing and also enjoy finding out about creatures in parts of Australia away from the west coast.
      This one really intrigued me with its beauty.

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  4. Hari OM
    It's a bobby-dazzler of a flyer that one - never did spot one of those I have to say but sure wish I did!! YAM xx

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    1. It's a true beauty and as they mainly feed on gum trees they may not be so easy to spot as those that feed on vegies and flowers and the like. xx

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  5. I found one of these on my doorstep this morning. I still have it alive at home. I'm in swan valley Perth WA.
    Are these stick insects not supposed to inhabit wa?

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