Undocumented Stick Insect Nymph

Following years of trade and violent conflict related to illegal drugs in Colombia, the new progressive government has brought on hope of peace, greater environmental protection, and safer travel in the country. Typically, very challenging to document for many reasons, the early life cycles of different species of stick insects remain a mystery to date. Chanced upon at a secluded natural area surrounded by large scale mining activities, this very unusual looking stick insect nymph was photographed by a river protected by high limestones cliffs in between Bogota and Medellin. Consultations with both Colombian and Florida Atlantic biologists have not yielded any definitive species type. Consultations with global experts on stick insects, too, are unconclusive and divided at Genus level (libethroidea, oreophoetes or phanocles).