Carausius morosus (De Sinéty, 1901)

Laboratory or Indian Stick-insect

Taxonomy: 

  • PhasmidaPhasmatidaeCarausius morosus

Status: 

NN

Distribution

Colours show the year of the last record -

  up to 1987   1988-97   1998 up to present

Only Recording Scheme datasets are included. Other datasets on the Gateway may hold additional information.

Open the NBN Atlas interactive map in a new window.

Description: 

Females are green or brown, with a pink base to the front legs. Males are very rare and much smaller than females. Adults considerably smaller than the other stick insects recorded in Britain.

Size: 

Up to 80 mm.

Wings: 

Both sexes wingless.

Food: 

Herbivorous.

Habitat: 

Native to India, this species has been bred extensively for research and escapes occasionally, forming temporary colonies in gardens. Most recent colony in a butterfly centre in the Midlands, UK.

Phenology: 

Breeds only in glasshouses / indoors in the UK.