Why the stick mantis is a master of disguise, not a stick insect

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The stick mantis is a marvel of evolutionary mimicry, perfectly adapted to resemble the twigs and branches of its environment. While their appearance suggests a close relationship to stick insects, these predators belong to an entirely different biological lineage, showcasing the fascinating and independent development of camouflage across the natural world.

The term stick mantis is a descriptive label applied to a wide variety of mantis species across multiple genera, all sharing the common trait of twig-like camouflage. This group includes the African stick mantises of the genus Hoplocorypha, the Borneo and giant Malaysian stick mantises within the Paratoxodera genus, and the diverse Brunneria genus, which encompasses species like the Brazilian stick mantis. These insects have evolved to blend seamlessly into woody environments, a survival strategy that allows them to ambush prey while remaining hidden from potential threats.

It is a common error to conflate these mantises with stick insects, known as Phasmatodea. While historical classification systems once grouped them as close relatives, modern science recognizes these groupings as paraphyletic and outdated. Mantises and stick insects are distinct orders, and both are further separated from the more recently identified order known as Mantophasmatodea. This distinction highlights how different evolutionary paths can lead to similar physical adaptations, a phenomenon known as convergent evolution, where unrelated organisms develop similar traits to thrive in comparable ecological niches.

Specific species demonstrate the incredible variety within this group. The African twig mantis, Popa spurca, mimics woody plant debris and can reach lengths of up to 8 centimeters for females and 7 centimeters for males. Meanwhile, the Australian stick mantis, Archimantis latistyla, is a native species that exhibits unique behavioral traits. While generally known as the large brown mantis, its specific stick mantis ghost subspecies from Bundaberg’s Turtle Sands displays a specialized defense mechanism. Unlike the more aggressive widespread variety, these ghosts use a display to appear larger by flinging their front limbs, proving that even within a single species, the art of survival can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the local environment and specific evolutionary pressures.

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