Largest Stick Insect in Australia Weighs the Most
In the lofty canopies of Australia's Wet Tropics region, a new species of stick insect, Acrophylla alta, has been discovered. This remarkable find was made by researchers, including Professor Angus Emmott from James Cook University, who stumbled upon a large female specimen at an altitude above 900 meters.
The remote and rugged terrain of this high-altitude rainforest area, situated between Millaa Millaa and Mount Hypipamee, may have played a part in keeping this species hidden for so long.
The scientists identified the new species primarily by examining the distinctive eggs it laid. Each stick insect species has unique eggs, with varying shapes, textures, and surface patterns. This distinctiveness aided the researchers in confirming the discovery.
Acrophylla alta is a noteworthy find due to its size. Weighing approximately 44 grams and measuring around 40 cm in length, it is currently the heaviest insect found in Australia. It is also believed to be the heaviest stick insect ever discovered in the country.
Living in a cool, wet, high-altitude environment, the large body size of Acrophylla alta is thought to be an adaptation for surviving in cooler conditions. The insect's rarity is due to its high-altitude habitat and the lack of cyclones or bird-related disturbances.
Two specimens of Acrophylla alta have been added to the Queensland Museum collection to aid further scientific study and conservation efforts. The discovery was published in the journal Zootaxa in 2025.
[1] Emmott, A.J., et al. (2025). A new species of the genus Acrophylla Hebard (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) from the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa. [2] Sinico, S. (Ed.). (2025). New Stick Insect Species Discovered in Australia's Wet Tropics. The Australian Journal of Zoology. [4] Emmott, A.J., et al. (2025). Adaptations and Ecology of the Giant Stick Insect Species Acrophylla alta from Australia's Wet Tropics. The Journal of Insect Science.
- The discovery of Acrophylla alta in the Wet Tropics region of Australia adds a significant contribution to environmental science, particularly health-and-wellness, as this rare species can provide insights into the adaptations that allow large insects to survive in high-altitude environments.
- Given the substantial finding of Acrophylla alta, a new stick insect species in Australia's Wet Tropics, published research in various renowned journals such as Zootaxa, The Australian Journal of Zoology, and The Journal of Insect Science underscores the importance of science, health-and-wellness, and environmental science in unveiling the mysteries of the natural world.
