Pest profile

Twostriped walkingstick (devil rider)

Anisomorpha buprestoides · Phasmida: Pseudophasmatidae[2]

Florida's most common stick insect can aim a strong-smelling defensive spray that is painfully irritating to the eyes.[1]

Twostriped walkingstick pair, a small male riding a larger striped brown female, on weathered wood
Twostriped walkingstick pair, a small male riding a larger striped brown female, on weathered wood. (c) Steven Joyner, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • It's a large, stout brown stick insect with three conspicuous black stripes running the length of the body.[1]
  • Females average about 2 2/3 inches; the smaller, slender males are often seen riding on the females.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Other walkingsticksA related species in the Southeast is smaller and paler and lacks the conspicuous stripes.[1]

Where it lives

It occurs throughout Florida and around the Gulf Coastal Plain west to Texas.[1]

US map: public records from 10 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It feeds on leaves of trees and shrubs, and in Florida adults are most abundant in fall, when eggs are laid.[1]

It often gathers in groups under loose bark or other sheltered spots.[1]

Damage and signs

  • It eats foliage of plants such as crepe myrtle, roses and oaks, but UF/IFAS knows of no reports of serious defoliation.[1]

Health risk

Its spray, aimed accurately up to 30 to 40 cm, is painfully irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes.[1]

Control

Prevention

Don't handle, tap or prod them, and keep your face away; they spray instantly when disturbed.[1]

Common questions

What should I do if a walkingstick sprays my eye?
Flush the eye right away with lots of water, and get medical care if vision drops or light sensitivity develops.[1]
Are devil riders dangerous?
Their defensive spray can be very painful to the eyes; otherwise they feed on leaves.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Twostriped Walkingstick, Anisomorpha buprestoides (EENY-314).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN590 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Anisomorpha buprestoides taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/134119 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.