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

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

Mr. Cumming, one of the world’s few experts on leaf insects, has never seen a leaf insect in the wild, only specimens in captivity or museums.

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

While searching with a local collector in Malaysia, Mr. Le Tirant discovered it after hitting a tree with his large collecting net, which shook free many leaves and one leaf insect.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2020

Many of the cases in which certain insects escape danger by their similarity to plants are well known; the leaf insect and the walking-stick insect are familiar and most remarkable cases.

From A Book of Natural History Young Folks' Library Volume XIV. by Jordan, David Starr