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by Spixxy on August 31st, 2004

Spixxy

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Are stick insects harmful to humans?

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Answers. 4 helpful answers below.

  • by lynnenorth on October 13th, 2005

    lynnenorth

    A very few stick insects have very mild toxins which they can spray if they are handled, such as the Florida stick insect, Anisomorpha buprestoides -- this spray can sting and be very unpleasant if you get it in your eyes, but it washes off skin with soap and water and won't do any permanent damage. Other stick insects, such as Pink Winged stick insects (Sipyloidea sipylus), secrete smelly liquids if they are frightened by handling, but these don't do any damage at all. Some of the larger stick insect species, like the giant spiny Eurycantha calcarata, are covered with pointy bits and will try to bite and pinch with their legs if they are picked up, and they are actually strong enough to draw blood if they get a good grip on you. This is the extent of the damage any stick insect can do, however.

    In general stick insects are not able to harm humans even if they wanted to, although some of them try to look scary by curling their abdomen up over their back in the manner of a scorpion, as if they had a sting in their tail.

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  • by Willow on September 3rd, 2009

    Willow

    Stick insects sometimes called Walking stick insects can be harmful to humans if not handled properly.


    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/FAQ/4813

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  • by ninay9 on September 27th, 2006

    ninay9

    where is ninay?

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  • by Im A Wife Now on May 13th, 2005

    Im A Wife Now

    Not to my knowledge. When I was a child, my brother and i and my grandma and all my cousins would pick them up and play wit hthem and let them crawl on our arms. we are still here today and never got any infection or anything like that...

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