Leaf insect is an insect that looks much like a green leaf or a twig. It is sometimes called a walking leaf because of this similarity. It is found in Africa, southeastern Asia, and northern Australia, and on the many islands of the South Pacific. Several related species called walkingsticks live in America.
The best-known leaf insect is an East Indian species. It is bright green in color and grows about 3 inches (8 centimeters) long. It looks much like a leaf because of its broad ribbed wings, which fold over its back in the shape of a leaf. It also has leaflike growths on the joints of the legs. The eggs look like the seeds of plants. Leaf insects live among the leaves of trees and shrubs, where they are hard to find because of their shape and color. They feed on leaves at night and usually stay quiet during the day.
