desert bugs - Top That! Publishing

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How does the stick insect get its name Just one look at the amazing ‘walking stick’ insect, with its slow body movements, long body shape and green/brown colour, is enough to prove how it got its name. If a predator approaches, it will remain absolutely motionless to avoid detection until the danger has passed. The stick insect is also known as a phasmid, which comes from the Greek word ‘phasma’, meaning ‘phantom’. This insect’s twiglike appearance is such good camouflage, you’d find it very hard to see a stick insect among the leaves of a tree. Does a leaf insect really look like a leaf The leaf insect from New Guinea uses camouflage to blend in to its surroundings. Its grey/green colour perfectly matches the vegetation it lives on. However, it has also developed a leaf-shaped body, which means that most predators simply ignore it, not realising they’ve missed a potential meal. The leaf insect clings FACT FILE Insects that rely on camouflage don’t usually run away from predators or take flight, but move slowly and cautiously, staying close to their homes where they blend in best. 36 Its twig-like appearance provides the stick insect with excellent camouflage. to a branch, swaying in the breeze with the leaves around it, and even sways when it walks so as not to draw attention to itself. Some species of leaf insect take camouflage a step further and have what look like bite marks along the edges of their body. This confuses predators even further. Once this leaf insect starts climbing among the branches, it will appear invisible to passing predators.
UP, UP AND AWAY The way in which insects have managed to survive for million of years is largely due to the fact that they can fly. Without wings they would find it much harder to escape from predators, to find food or to look for new places to live. Giant prehistoric dragonflies once ruled the skies.
Page 3 and 4: Copyright © 2010 Top That! Publish
Page 5 and 6: Now You See Me Pages 34-36 Rainfore
Page 7 and 8: There are millions of species of in
Page 9 and 10: WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? Bedbugs, assa
Page 11 and 12: Are bugs able to live under water a
Page 13 and 14: Male stag beetles take to the air o
Page 15 and 16: EYE SPY DRAGONFLY Dragonflies are o
Page 17 and 18: How fast can dragonflies actually f
Page 19 and 20: All the members of the Orthoptera f
Page 21 and 22: FLUTTERBY BUTTERFLY Butterflies and
Page 23 and 24: BUSY BODIES There are over 19,000 k
Page 25 and 26: ANT-TASTIC Ants and termites are kn
Page 27 and 28: What does a queen ant do The queen
Page 29 and 30: Which beetle has the most disgustin
Page 31 and 32: Do insects use their legs in self-d
Page 33 and 34: STAYING ALIVE It’s a jungle out t
Page 35 and 36: Do butterflies, moths and caterpill
Page 37: What is a leaf butterfly This amazi
Page 41 and 42: Why are moths attracted to light No
Page 43 and 44: Why does scent matter The insect wo
Page 45 and 46: Do killer bees really exist African
Page 47 and 48: Which rainforest insect tucks itsel
Page 49 and 50: Which water insect lives at the bot
Page 51 and 52: Which insect helps to turn over the
Page 53 and 54: How else do insects find water to d
Page 55 and 56: Ponds and swamps provide excellent
Page 57 and 58: DESERT BUGS You might expect the dr
Page 60 and 61: THE EYES HAVE IT To make up for the
Page 62 and 63: How does a caterpillar see its food
Page 64 and 65: GLOSSARY Honeycomb A waxy structure
Page 66 and 67: INDEX African honeybee 43 African s

desert bugs - Top That! Publishing

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