Evolution of External Morphology and Flight Muscles in Flightless Stick Insects

Abstract

Evolution of flight in insects allowed for increased dispersal including greater access to food, mates, and predation escape. Sexual dimorphism is present in many insect species; females tend to be larger than males . Phasmatodea are an order of insects that mimic plants, leaves, and sticks Evolution of flight is debatable. Extatosoma tiaratum presents vast external differences between sexes. Under-go five molts to reach adulthood. Eggs are small, brown structures that resemble seeds. Flight muscles present in thoracic box. Male insects are capable of flight, while females are not.Purpose of the study is to demonstrate the ontogeny of sexually dimorphic wing morphology in E. tiaratum, as well as sexual dimorphism related to the differentiation in allocation of resources