Palma Stick Grasshopper (Acrostira euphorbiae)

Originally from Africa, this grasshopper is endemic to La Palma. It is wingless and exhibits marked dimorphism in size: females measure 67-71 mm and males 31 mm. A plant-eater, it feeds exclusively on the succulent tabaiba (Euphorbia lamarkii) and spends most of its life camouflaged thanks to its cryptic colouring. Distribution is very limited within the protected natural areas of El Remo and Tamanca, but Euphorbia communities are required to be well-preserved at these locations, thus facilitating the conservation of Palma stick grasshoppers. Currently, the species is listed as Endangered in the 2010 Canary Island Catalogue of Protected Species.