Known as walking sticks, or stick insects, these relatives of katydids, crickets, grasshoppers and earwigs come in many varieties throughout North, Central and South America, as well as Asia. North America alone has about a dozen different kinds. Some measure only two to three inches long, but in Asian countries some may be twelve inches long when stretched out on a branch. The larger ones, when roasted, are considered a very tasty food by the natives.
Walking sticks usually remain perfectly still on twigs or even flat blades of grass or leaves. Their long, slender bodies look so much like a part of the tree or plant that insects coming from behind innocently climb up and walk along their backs.
Unlike most insects, these strange, brown or green creatures have no wings but have six long, flexible, thin legs, all about the same length, that seem awkward in climbing over twigs and branches. When folded under their bodies, their legs look like a part of a branch itself.
Walking sticks remain motionless on the twigs, branches or leaves, blending so perfectly they are nearly invisible. Their strange appearance hides them from their enemies. Even people searching for these unusual creatures may walk right by one lying on a bare branch and not discover it until, by chance, the person thinks he is grabbing a branch for support and discovers it trying to wriggle away from his hand.
These insects are greedy leaf-eaters, sometimes damaging walnut, oak, locust, hickory, cherry and other trees. The female usually drops one hundred or more eggs to the ground one at a time, which will hatch the following spring. They are neglected, and few survive. As the young grow, they shed their skin five or six times.
In many ways these walking sticks represent an illustration of the deceitful ways of Satan and his efforts to spoil our personal lives. How much better to have our trust in the Lord Jesus, our Creator, and ask Him to help us do what these Bible verses tell us: “He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain [keep] his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile [dishonesty]. . . . For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous [honest and true], and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:10-1210For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:10‑12)).
ML-08/06/2006