noun Etymology: New Latin Phasmida, group name, from Phasma, type genus, from Greek, apparition, from phainein to show — more at fancy any of an order (Phasmatodea syn. Phasmida) of large cylindrical or sometimes flattened chiefly tropical insects (as a walking stick) that have long legs, strictly phytophagous habits, and incomplete metamorphosis and that include forms resembling leaves or twigs • phasmid adjective