Phasmatodea

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Phasmatodea (Phasmida; class Insecta, subclass Pterygota) Order of large to very large, terrestrial insects, which includes the stick insects (walking sticks) and leaf insects (walking leaves). They are exopterygote and the wing buds do not reverse their orientation in later instars. Some species are wingless, and in most species the female has reduced wings and cannot fly. Eggs are laid by being flicked from the tip of the abdomen, and are free and seed-like, having thick, often intricately sculptured shells. Parthenogenesis is widespread among the order. All species are foliage-feeders, and a few are of economic importance as forest defoliators. There are more than 2500 species, almost all of which are tropical or subtropical.