Do walking sticks (the insects, Phasmida) "spit"?

Question

It's a common "mom-ism" where I come from that one should not mess with those little walking sticks because they "spit" a substance that can actually blind (or at least hurt a bunch). Is this the works of an overprotective Mother, or smart advice?

Answer 1

I remember being told that as a kid.  But that certainly doesn't mean it is true.  lol  I'll star.  Maybe someone else knows.

Answer 2

IDK, I used to hold them all of the time when I was a kid..and never got spit at or anything. But, maybe I was just lucky? Those, praying mantises,rolly-polies, and ladybugs were always fascintating to me. At any given time I had one in my hand...oh, or lightening bugs in a cup for a flashlight :-)

Answer 3

Hey Irish,

At  a family camp several years ago, my son adopted a walking-stick. He named it, carried it on his shoulder, handed him off to his brother and friends, put him on the cabin at night, picked him up during the day - spent a lot of time with it. I even carried him on my arm for awhile - cute, little guy.  The insect never spit at him or anyone else as far as I know.  My guess is that it is the work of an overprotective mother - can't gurantee that, though.

Edit:  okay, this got my curiosity and as a mother, I had to know......................

-anyway, according to wikipedia, there are 2,500 species of the "walking stick."  Only one genus,  the Anisomorpha can secrete a substance from the glands which can cause an intense burning sensation of the eyes.  I don't think that genus is native to Texas.

So, mother was right but still overprotective.