EYES OF RUBY
In common with other orthomerias, the coloration of O. pandora is striking. The base color of males of this stick insect species is black with a bright orange tegmina. The hind wings are orange with black posterior stripes; the entire wings are reticulated with orange to redsalmon. But perhaps the most arresting feature is the pair of
large blood-red eyes.
The female stick insects of this species are mostly a muddy brown with pale red hind wings and brown/black eyes. Females are bulkier and grow to about 6.5 cm, while the males are of a slighter build and shorter by slightly more than a centimeter. The nymphs are nowhere near the appearance of adults, being a glossy black with aqua-colored cross bands and reddish brown legs with pale markings.
This genus of stick insects is a member of the phasmid family Aschiphasmatidae, which are known to possess glands behind the head used to spray defensive chemicals in the event of a predatory attack, or curious humans.