leaf insect

American  

noun

1. any of several orthopterous insects of the family Phillidae, of southern Asia and the East Indies, having a body that resembles a leaf in color and form.

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leaf insect British  

noun

1. any of various mostly tropical Asian insects of the genus Phyllium and related genera, having a flattened leaflike body: order Phasmida See also stick insect

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Etymology

Origin of leaf insect

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

leaf insect

Dr. Brock has seen wild stick insects, but never a wild leaf insect.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2020

They were laid by a wild-caught female Phyllium asekiense, a leaf insect from Papua New Guinea belonging to a group called frondosum, which was known only from female specimens.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2020

Phyllium asekiense is a stunning leaf insect, occurring both in summery greens and autumnal browns.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2020

Mr. Le Tirant, who has gone on many insect-collecting trips, has seen only one leaf insect in the wild.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2020

Nor is there any valid reason against the supposition that even the most remarkable cases of resemblance, such as that of the leaf insect, may have arisen through a process of mutation.

From Mendelism Third Edition by Punnett, Reginald Crundall