Two-lined Walkingstick

Natural Habitat

Found in forests, grasslands, and suburban gardens across the Southeastern United States, often hiding in leaf litter or under bark during the day.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous, primarily feeding on the leaves of oak trees, rosemary, and other shrubs.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal and often found in mating pairs, with the smaller male riding on the back of the female. They use chemical defense by spraying a potent milky fluid from prothoracic glands.

Risks & Benefits

Poses a risk to humans and pets due to their ability to spray a defensive chemical that causes intense pain and temporary blindness if it hits the eyes. They are beneficial to the ecosystem as a food source for birds and as decomposers of plant matter.

Identified on: 2/25/2026