Giant stick insect discovered in Australia

A new “supersized” species of stick insect has been discovered in a remote rainforest in Queensland, Australia.

Professor Angus Emmott, a researcher at James Cook University, identified the new species after it was found in high altitude trees in Millaa Millaa in Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands.

“They live high up in the rainforest canopy, and accessing that is almost impossible,” Professor Emmott said.

Emmott said his co-author on the study, Ross Coupland, was sent a photo of a stick insect on social media and “immediately thought that it might be something new”.

What is Australia’s heaviest insect?

The insect is now thought to be Australia’s heaviest insect.

The specimen weighs 44g, which is “slightly less than a golf ball”, James Cook University said in a statement.

While 44g doesn’t sound that heavy, it’s considerably heftier than Australia’s previous heaviest insect, the giant wood moth.

The giant wood moth can weigh up to 30g, a lightweight next to its new competition. 

“The females have wings, but because of their heavy bodies they’re not really great flyers,” Prof Emmott said.

The male of the species tend to be a lot smaller.

The insects are roughly 40cm long. 

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More to discover about Australia’s insect population

The specimen is currently being housed in Queensland Museum’s collection.

The museum’s entomology expert, Nicole Gunter, said the discovery highlighted how much more there is to learn about some of Australia’s largest insect species. 

“Australia is home to an immense amount of biodiversity that has yet to be classified and given a scientific name.”

It’s estimated that up to 70% of Australia’s insect species are undescribed.

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