''Niveaphasma annulata'' is a species of

stick insect 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 ...

found in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

. It is the sole member of the

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

''Niveaphasma'' which is unique among stick insects because it can be found living in alpine areas.

Distribution and habitat

''Niveaphasma annulata'' is restricted to the southern half of the South Island. It is absent from the North Island and has not been observed north of Arthur's Pass.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q14647174, from2=Q21305838, from3=Q10601384 Phasmatodea Phasmatodea genera Monotypic insect genera Phasmatidae of New Zealand