Diapheromerinae is a subfamily of the stick insect family Diapheromeridae. They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.PSG (2009)
The family contains the huge Paraphanocles keratosqueleton, often discussed under its obsolete nameBostra is actually the name for a genus of Pyralini snout moths Bostra maxwelli and known as godhorse or hag's horse in Barbados. It belongs to the typical tribe of Diapheromerinae, the Diapheromerini. It grows to over 30 cm (12 in) long and is known for its slow-moving stick-like appearance. In A-Z of Barbados Heritage, the species is discussed thus:
Godhorse. The local name of unknown origin for the walking stick insect which may grow to 33 cm. ... Many people are afraid of it, on the grounds that if given a chance, it will crawl into a human ear, though there is no record of any having done so. There is a superstitious belief that the presence of a godhorse around the house means a death will occur at the house. They are harmless to man but are generally disliked and Rev. Hughes common name of Hag's Horse conveys this.Carrington & Fraser (2003)
Systematics Two tribes are generally recognized in the subfamily Diapheromerinae, Diapheromerini with about 27 genera and Oreophoetini with about 11. In addition, 23 genera are "unassigned" to a tribe. A third tribe, Ocnophilini, has been considered part of Diapheromerinae in the past, but its genera are now included in Oreophoetini.
Some notable species of Diapheromerinae include: Manomera blatchleyi, blatchley walkingstick Diapheromera femorata, common American walkingstick, northern walkingstick Megaphasma denticrus, giant walkingstick Diapheromera velii, prairie walkingstick Bactricia bituberculata, twohorn giant stick Insect
Genera These 60 genera belong to the subfamily Diapheromerinae:
Alienobostra Zompro, 2001 Andeocalynda Hennemann & Conle, 2020 Aplopocranidium Zompro, 2004 Arumatia Ghirotto, 2022 Bacteria Berthold, 1827 (Bacteria Stick Insects) Bactricia Kirby, 1896 (Twohorn Giant Stick Insects) Bostriana Hennemann, Conle & Valero, 2021 Calynda Stål, 1875 Caribbiopheromera Zompro, 2001 Charmides Stål, 1875 Cladomorphus Gray, 1835 Clonistria Stål, 1875 Cranidium Westwood, 1843 Diapheromera Gray, 1835 Dubiophasma Zompro, 2001 Dyme Stål, 1875 Exocnophila Zompro, 2001 Globocalynda Zompro, 2001 Globocrania Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Hirtuleiodes Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Hirtuleius Stål, 1875 Jamanistria Bellanger et al., 2023 Jeremia Redtenbacher, 1908 Jeremiodes Hennemann & Conle, 2007 Laciniobethra Conle, Hennemann & Gutiérrez, 2011 Laciphorus Redtenbacher, 1908 Lanceobostra Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Libethra Stål, 1875 Libethroidea Hebard, 1919 Litosermyle Hebard, 1919 Lobolibethra Hennemann & Conle, 2007 Manomera Rehn & Hebard, 1907 Megaphasma Caudell, 1903 Nanolibethra Conle, Hennemann & Gutiérrez, 2011 Nooxapty López-Mora, 2023 Ocnophila Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907 Ocnophiloidea Zompro, 2001 Ocreatophasma Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Oncotophasma Rehn, 1904 Oreophoetes Rehn, 1904 Oreophoetophasma Zompro, 2002 Otocrania Redtenbacher, 1908 Otocraniella Zompro, 2004 Paracalynda Zompro, 2001 Paraclonistria Langlois & Lelong, 1998 Parocnophila Zompro, 1998 Parotocrania Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Phanocles Stål, 1875 Phanoclocrania Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Phanocloidea Zompro, 2001 Phantasca Redtenbacher, 1906 Pseudobactricia Brock, 1999 Pseudoclonistria Langlois & Lelong, 2010 Pseudosermyle Caudell, 1903 Ramandeun Murcia & Cadena-Castañeda, 2023 Sermyle Stål, 1875 Spinocloidea Hennemann & Conle, 2024 Spinopeplus Zompro, 2001 Trychopeplus Shelford, 1909 Xylodus Saussure, 1859
Footnotes
References (2003): "Godhorse". In: A-Z of Barbados Heritage: p. 88. Macmillan Caribbean. (2009): Phasmida SpeciesFile – Diapheromerinae. Version of 28 September 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
External links