Called the “Thorny Devil,” the female Malaysian walking stick—Heteropteryx dilatata—is a bizarre and fascinating insect. This specimen is mounted in a finely crafted oak shadow box with two panes of glass (front and back), offering a full view of this intriguing creature.

 

These insects are farmed rather than collected from the wild. Sustainable insect farming by rain-forest dwellers has brought some species back from near extinction, and the money earned from selling the beautiful specimens encourages habitat preservation. Today, governments in tropical countries are promoting insect farming as a way to save their rain forests.

 

Treat this specimen as you would any fine art object. Avoid exposure to extremes of temperature or to direct sunlight. With proper care you will enjoy this marvel of the natural world for many decades to come.