Diapheromerinae

Diapheromerinae is a subfamily of the stick insect family Diapheromeridae. They belong to the superfamily Anareolatae of suborder Verophasmatodea.

The family contains the huge Paraphanocles keratosqueleton, often discussed under its obsolete name Bostra maxwelli and known as godhorse or hag's horse in Barbados. It belongs to the typical tribe of Diapheromerinae, the Diapheromerini. It grows to over 30 cm (12 in) long and is known for its slow-moving stick-like appearance. In A-Z of Barbados Heritage, the species is discussed thus:

"Godhorse. The local name of unknown origin for the walking stick insect which may grow to 33 cm. ... Many people are afraid of it, on the grounds that if given a chance, it will crawl into a human ear, though there is no record of any having done so. There is a superstitious belief that the presence of a godhorse around the house means a death will occur at the house. They are harmless to man but are generally disliked and Rev. Hughes common name of Hag's Horse conveys this."

Systematics
Three tribes are generally recognized in the Diapheromerinae. These, with some notable genera and species are:

Diapheromerini Kirby, 1904 Selected genera: Ocnophilini Günther, 1953 Oreophoetini Zompro, 2001
 * Diapheromera Gray, 1835
 * Diapheromera femorata – common American walkingstick, northern walkingstick
 * Megaphasma Caudell, 1903
 * Pseudosermyle Caudell, 1903
 * 1) Dubiophasma Zompro, 2001
 * 2) Exocnophila Zompro, 2001
 * 3) Ocnophila Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907
 * 4) Parocnophila Zompro, 1998
 * 1) Dyme (phasmid) Stål, 1875
 * 2) Libethra Stål, 1875
 * 3) Lobolibethra Hennemann & Conle, 2007
 * 4) Ocnophiloidea Zompro, 2001
 * 5) Oreophoetes Rehn, 1904
 * 6) Oreophoetophasma Zompro, 2002