Diapheromerinae is a subfamily of the stick insect family

Family (biology)

In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...

 Diapheromeridae

Diapheromeridae

Diapheromeridae is a family of stick insects . They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.The family contains some huge species, e.g. Paraphanocles keratosqueleton whch can grow to over 30 long....

. They belong to the superfamily

Superfamily

The term superfamily is used to describe several different concepts in different scientific fields:* Superfamily and Superfamily : a level of biological classification; redirects to Taxonomic rank...

 Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea

Verophasmatodea

Verophasmatodea is a suborder of the Phasmatodea that contains the vast majority of the extant species of stick and leaf-insects.-Superfamilies and families:* Superfamily Anareolatae** Diapheromeridae** Phasmatidae* Superfamily Areolatae...

.

The family contains the huge Paraphanocles keratosqueleton, often discussed under its obsolete name Bostra maxwelli and known as Godhorse or Hag's Horse in Barbados

Barbados

Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...

. It belongs to the typical tribe

Tribe (biology)

In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...

 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

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 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

Griffith Hughes

The Reverend Griffith Hughes , FRS, was a naturalist and author. Hughes wrote The Natural History of Barbados, which included the first description of the grapefruit...

 common name of Hag's Horse conveys this."

Systematics

Three tribe

Tribe (biology)

In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...

s are generally recognized in the Diapheromerinae. These, with some notable genera and species also listed, are:

Diapheromerini Zompro, 2001

• Bactricia Kirby, 1896
• Diapheromera
  • Diapheromera femorata – Common American Walkingstick, Northern Walkingstick
• Paraclonistria
• Paraphanocles Zompro, 2001

Ocnophilini Günther, 1953

• Dubiophasma
• Exocnophila
• Ocnophila
• Ocnophiloidea
• Parocnophilia

Oreophoetini Zompro, 2001

• Oreophoetes
• Oreophoetophasma