Extant Insect Species Found in Bicol

A video of what to be considered as extant species “leaf insect” (Phylliidae), has been circulating on social media, especially on Facebook. According to the video description posted by user “Bassilyo”, the insect was found in Irosin, Sorsogon.

The insect is considered to be related to the family of mantis, but its body is totally look like a leaf.

The scholar Antonio Pigafetta probably was the first to document the creature during 14^th century. Sailing with Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigational expedition, he studied and chronicled the fauna on the island of Cimbonbon as the fleet hauled ashore for repairs. During this time he documented the Phyllium species with the following passage:

In this island are also found certain trees, the leaves of which, when they fall, are animated, and walk. They are like the leaves of the mulberry tree, but not so long; they have the leaf stalk short and pointed, and near the leaf stalk they have on each side two feet. If they are touched they escape, but if crushed they do not give out blood. I kept one for nine days in a box. When I opened it the leaf went round the box. I believe they live upon air.

This is the first time since then that an actual leaf insect was found and videotaped.

The species is considered extant and one of the oldest species that still exists.

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