14 DAY TRIAL // A team of researchers studying biodiversity in China have recently come across a new insect species, i.e. Sinophasma damingshanensis, that has evolved to perfectly blend in with its surroundings.
These previously unknown critters have very long and slender bodies. What's more, they are colored in shades of green and brown, Live Science informs.
Courtesy of their appearance, the insects can easily make themselves invisible to unexperienced observers simply by setting up camp among plant stems, specialists explain.
In fact, the critters' elongated and green-and-brown bodies resemble plant stems so much that the scientific community has agreed to refer to these creatures as stick insects.
More so given the fact that, every once in a while, they rock back and forth in order to mimic the natural movement of plant stems shaken by local winds.
As detailed in a paper in the journal Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, this new stick insect species was discovered lurking in forests in southern China, where it feeds on local trees and shrubs.
Males are usually about 2 inches (5 centimeters) long, whereas females have been documented to measure up to 3 inches (roughly 7 centimeters) in length.
Regardless of whether they are ladies or gentlemen, these insects are chiefly active during nighttime, and prefer to spend their day relaxing and hiding from view among plants.