Chitoniscus lobiventris, the lobed leaf insect, is an insect species classified within the order

Phasmatodea The Phasmatodea (also known as Phasmida, Phasmatoptera or Spectra) are an order of insects whose members are variously known as stick insects, stick-bugs, walking sticks, stick animals, or bug sticks. They are also occasionally referred to as ...

and the family

Phylliidae The family Phylliidae (often misspelled Phyllidae) contains the extant true leaf insects or walking leaves, which include some of the most remarkably camouflaged leaf mimics (mimesis) in the entire animal kingdom. They occur from South Asia thro ...

. Initially documented by Blanchard in 1853, its distinguishing feature lies in its leaf-like appearance, a characteristic adaptation for camouflage within its natural habitat. Like many Chitoniscus species, it is found in the South Pacific. The holotype specimen for this species was a male from Viti, Lebouka collected by

Émile Blanchard Charles Émile Blanchard (6 March 1819 – 11 February 1900) was a French zoologist and entomologist. Career Blanchard was born in Paris. His father was an artist and naturalist and Émile began natural history very early in life. When he w ...

. In August 1903, a female specimen was collected in Carins by R.C.L Perkins. Males and females were also collected in the Kolombangra of the

Solomon Islands Solomon Islands is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and north-west of Vanuatu. It has a land area of , and a population of approx. 700,000. Its capita ...

in April and October by M.Bigger.

References

Phylliidae Insects described in 1853 Insects of Fiji Insects of the Solomon Islands Insects of Queensland {{Phasmatodea-stub