What is Leaf insect?
{{Taxobox | name = Leaf insects | fossil_range=[[Eocene]] {{ndash}} Recent | image = LeafInsect.jpg | image_width = 220px | image_caption = ''[[Phyllium]]'' from the [[Western Ghats]] | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | classis = [[Insect]]a | ordo = [[Phasmatodea]] | familia = '''Phylliidae''' | familia_authority = [[Ludwig Redtenbacher|Redtenbacher]], 1906}} The family '''Phylliidae''' (often misspelt 'Phyllidae') includes the [[Extant taxon|living]] true '''leaf insects''' or '''walking leaves''', which include some of the most remarkable leaf [[mimicry|mimics]] in the entire animal kingdom. They occur from [[South Asia]] through [[Southeast Asia]] to [[Australia]]. There are different views about their [[taxonomy]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Bradley | first1 = J.C. | last2 = Galil | first2 = B.S. | year = 1977 | title = The taxonomic arrangement of the Phasmatodea with keys to the subfamilies and tribes | url = https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/55068#page/194/mode/1up | journal = Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington | volume = 79 | issue = 2| pages = 176–208 }}</ref> == Characteristics == Leaf insects use [[camouflage]] to take on the appearance of a leaf. They do this so accurately that [[predator]]s often cannot distinguish them from real leaves. In some species the edge of the leaf insect's body even has the appearance of bite marks. To further confuse predators, when the leaf insect walks, it rocks back and forth, to mimic a real leaf being blown by the wind.<ref>Cott, Hugh B. 1940. ''Adaptive colouration in animals''. Methuen, London, p329.</ref> They and [[stick insect]]s go together in the Order [[Phasmatodea]]. The scholar [[Antonio Pigafetta]] may have been the first to document the creature. Sailing with [[Ferdinand Magellan]]'s [[circumnavigation]]al expedition, he studied and chronicled the [[fauna]] on the [[island]] of Cimbonbon as the fleet hauled ashore for repairs.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Bergreen |first= Laurence |title=Over the Edge of the Wo