Phasmatidae is a family of the stick insects (order Phasmatodea). They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.^[1]

Like many of their relatives, Phasmatidae are capable of regenerating limbs and commonly reproduce by parthenogenesis. Despite their bizarre, even threatening appearance, they are harmless to humans.

The Phasmatidae contain some of the biggest insects currently in existence. The recently-discovered Chan's Megastick (Phobaeticus chani) of the Clitumninae (sometimes placed in Phasmatinae) can grow to a total length of over half a meter (20 in); it is the longest living insect known at present.

Subfamilies

Here, following the Phasmid Study Group nine subfamilies are recognized in the Phasmatidae. Other treatments differ, sometimes recognizing as few as six.^[1]

The Lonchodinae were historically often placed in the Diapheromeridae, the other family of the Anareolatae. The Phasmatinae are often expanded to include the two tribes here separated as Clitumninae, while the Extatosomatinae are similarly included in the Tropidoderinae as a tribe.

The subfamilies are:^[1]

• Cladomorphinae
• Clitumninae (sometimes in Phasmatinae)
• Eurycanthinae
• Extatosomatinae (sometimes in Tropidoderinae)
• Lonchodinae (sometimes in Diapheromeridae)
• Phasmatinae (sometimes includes Clitumninae)
• Platycraninae
• Tropidoderinae (sometimes includes Extatosomatinae)
• Xeroderinae

In addition, there are a number of Phasmatidae taxa here considered incertae sedis:^[1]

• Tribe Achriopterini (sometimes in Phasmatinae)
• Tribe Stephanacridini (sometimes in Phasmatinae)
• Genus Monoiognosis
• Genus Spathomorpha

Footnotes

References

• Phasmid Study Group (PSG) (2009): Phasmida SpeciesFile – Phasmatidae. Version of 2009-SEP-28. Retrieved 2011-APR-19.