Description
Walkingsticks are slow-moving insects that resemble twigs. They have long slender legs, a thin twiglike body, and long slender antennae. They are usually green when immature and turn brown as adults. Some walkingsticks may grow to a length of 5 or 6 inches. At night they feed on a wide variety of plants; oak is a favored food plant. Walkingsticks have been known to become numerous enough to defoliate trees, but such occurrences are rare. Females lay eggs while in trees. The eggs fall to the ground, lie among the leaf litter during the winter, and hatch in the spring. Only 1 generation is produced each year. Dark pelletlike spots may indicate a heavy population before the insects themselves are seen.
Control
Walkingsticks seldom are numerous enough to cause plant damage, and are usually more of a curiosity than anything else. No insecticides are registered for their control; handpick them if they are numerous and causing damage.