Sydney
Reuters
–
In Australia’s remote rainforest, home to deadly snakes, spiders and creepy crawls, scientists have discovered a new species of stick insect that they think is the heaviest in the country.
The new species weighs 44 grams (1.55 ounces), roughly the same as a golf ball, and is 40 cm (15.75 inches).
Angus Emmott of James Cook University helped identify new Acrophila Alta species, but said the creature’s larger size could be an evolutionary response to its cool, moist habitat.
“Their weight is likely to help them survive the cold, which is why they have evolved into this big insect for over millions of years,” he was quoted as saying in a media release.
“From what we know so far, this is Australia’s heaviest insect.”
The new stick insect was found in a canopy in the mountainous, humid tropical region of northern Queensland, northeast of Australia.
The remote habitat was probably also why it remained discovered for so long, Emmott said.
“It is confined to small areas of high-altitude rainforests and exists high in the canopy. So, as long as you don’t beat cyclones and birds to beat the birds, a very small number of people can see them,” he said.
The unique eggs of stick insects also helped scientists identify it as a new species.
“Every species of stick insects have their own unique egg style,” Emott said.
“They all have different surfaces and different textures and pitting corrosion. They can have different shapes. Even those caps are very unique.”
Two specimens have been added to the Queensland Museum collection to support future research.
