KOTA BHARU, July 4 (Bernama) — Stick insects, famed for their twig-like camouflage, are believed to be increasingly rare in the wild, sparking concerns over a potential population decline linked to habitat and climate change.
The Head of the Department of Preclinical Veterinary Sciences at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Dr Goh Soon Heng, said that although there is no scientific data indicating the species is under threat of extinction, early signs suggest the insects are becoming less commonly found than before.
“From a scientific perspective, the data does not show that stick insects are currently at risk of extinction. However, local observations suggest they are becoming increasingly hard to find compared with the past.
“If they are becoming harder to find, it may be an early sign that their population is declining, although more data is needed to confirm this,” he told Bernama recently.
He said ecosystem changes, rising temperatures, and shifts in plant species in their natural habitats were among the factors that could threaten the insects’ survival.
He noted that changes in plants not only reduce food sources, but also impair the insects’ ability to blend in and escape predators.
“When tree species in a given area change, the habitat and natural shelter of stick insects are also disrupted, making them easier for predators such as birds to detect and eat,” he said.
Dr Goh said Malaysia is home to more than 100 species of stick insects, varying in shape and size, with some resembling twigs while others resembling leaf insects, adding that the insects are mainly distinguished by their long, thin, and tapering bodies, which closely resemble real twigs.
“In addition to their bodies, stick insects have long, delicate legs, which make them hard to tell apart from twigs in their natural habitat,” he said.
He said most stick insect species live in the tree canopy, with their location depending on size: larger species are usually found lower down, while smaller or younger ones tend to inhabit higher branches.
He said stick insects are neither poisonous nor venomous, although some species have spines on their bodies for self-defence.
According to him, the insects require between 10 and 15 months to complete their life cycle, from egg to a mature adult capable of reproducing.
“The eggs usually take between two and three months to hatch before the young insects grow into adults within eight to nine months,” he said.
Dr Goh said stick insects play a role in the ecosystem by helping control leaf density across different tree layers and serving as a food source for a range of other animals.
He said this ecological role makes stick insects a vital component in preserving the balance of forest ecosystems.
He said no major conservation initiatives exist specifically for stick insects in Malaysia, although some zoos are involved in limited breeding programmes for stick and leaf insects to support education and awareness.
He also observed increasing public interest in stick insects as exotic pets, but warned against sourcing them from illegal channels that could affect wild populations.
“If protected species are involved, owners must obtain the required licences and adhere to regulations set by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan),” he said.
He hopes that further research will be undertaken to determine the true status of stick insect populations in the country and to strengthen long-term biodiversity conservation efforts.
