You Won't Believe How Big This Stick Insect Is
SYDNEY (Reuters) —
In a remote rainforest in Australia, inhabited by venomous snakes, spiders, and various creepy-crawlies, researchers have identified a new species of stick insect, which they claim is the largest ever found in the country.
This newly discovered species weighs 44 grams (1.55 oz), roughly equivalent to a golf ball, and measures 40 cm (15.75 inches) in length.
Angus Emmott from James Cook University, who contributed to the identification of the Acrophylla alta species, suggests that the insect's significant size is an adaptive response to its cool, moist environment.
"Their significant body mass likely aids their survival in colder environments, which could explain how they evolved into this large insect over millions of years," he mentioned in a press release.
"Based on our current knowledge, this is the heaviest insect in Australia."
"The newly identified stick insect was found in the canopies of the hilly Wet Tropics region of Far North Queensland, situated in northeast Australia."
Emmott suggested that the remote habitat might be a reason for its long period of being undiscovered. "It is confined to a small region of high-altitude rainforest and lives high up in the canopy. Therefore, unless there is a storm or a bird brings one down,"
The stick insect's distinct eggs also assisted researchers in recognizing it as a new species.
"Each species of stick insect possesses a unique style of egg," Emmott explained to me.
"They all exhibit different surfaces, textures, and indentations, and they can come in a variety of shapes. Moreover, the caps on them are distinctive as well."
Two specimens have been incorporated into the collection at the Queensland Museum to support future research.