A native to Southern India, the Indian walking stick insect, Carausius morosus, is becoming established in many parts of the world, including California. As their name implies, walking stick insects look like twigs and leaves. They are popular in the pet trade, and it is through this trade that they are being introduced into new environments.
These insects can grow up to four inches long. Females can produce up to several hundred viable eggs throughout their lifetime, without mating. The eggs are broadcast in their cages or containers, co-mingled with their droppings and can be easily tossed out when owners clean the cages. Without proper care in disposal during cleaning of cages viable eggs are easily sent into the environment.
For the most part these introduced walking sticks are a landscape nuisance pest in our state. However, in some locations they have caused serious defoliation of plants.
It is very important that those who keep Indian walking sticks and other exotic insects out of the larger environment. Owners need to educate themselves on proper care of their pets and disposal of eggs. This information and more can be found in UC IPM’s Pests in Gardens and Landscapes Indian Walking Stick publication.
