This is a specimen of the huge stick insect Phasma gigas, female. It is resting on a standard sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 inch copy paper. This specimen came from an insect farm in Papua New Guinea in 2004. The wingspan measures 8 inches (20.2 cm) and the length from tip of abdomen to tip of forelegs measures 10 inches (25.3 cm). This is a really big insect. When I first saw it my immediate reaction was "There are birds smaller than this!." It is a member of the Order Phasmatodea (also spelled Phasmatoidea) and is related to other Stick Insects, also known as Walking Sticks. This insect is reported to be very strong and does not like being handled, which is fine with me because as much as I love insects, this one is better seen than held.
