They move very slowly and will remain motionless when another animals is near. For these reasons, they are very difficult to notice. Walkingsticks are nocturnal . They feed on the leaves of trees. Depending on the number of walkingsticks, trees may be defoliated .
Eggs are white with a black stripe and are dropped to the ground from trees in the fall.
Like the praying mantis , the eggs hatch the following spring with young that resemble a very small version of the adult walkingstick. Because of their perfect camouflage they have few predators . However, if they are noticed, they have two more means of defense. One is the emitting of a foul-smelling liquid. If all other defenses fail, if grabbed, the walkingstick can break free, leaving a leg behind.