Providing food for others
Because stick insects make a very nutritious and filling meal for many birds, reptiles, spiders, and primates, they are mostly nocturnal so as not to be found so easily. Stick insects are herbivores that munch on leaves with their powerful jaws, called mandibles. Their droppings contain broken-down plant material that becomes food for other insects.
Even though stick insects can sometimes avoid diurnal predators, they are not safe from bats. Echolocation used by bats can help them hone in on the tiny noises made by stick insects for a tasty meal. The stick insects’ elaborate camouflage doesn't help them in the dark. It's a good thing bats are not fooled by stick insect camouflage; without bats to eat them, we could find ourselves living a little too close for comfort with millions of stick insects!