There is a new monster bug on the block in Australia.
Meet the Acrophylla Alta, which was discovered in the canopies of the mountainous wet tropics region of Far North Queensland in northeast Australia. The bug is big — about a foot and a half long — and it weighs about a tenth of a pound.
James Cook University professor Angus Emmott helped identify the new bug. He says that the most surprising feature is the weight — about the same as a golf ball.
What Makes These Monster Bugs So Special?
“There are longer stick insects out there [in the region], but they’re fairly light-bodied,” he said. “From what we know to date, this is Australia’s heaviest insect.”
Another aspect that identifies these bugs as a new species is their eggs, as no two species have the same egg. “Every species of stick insect has their own distinct egg style,” says Emmott. “They’ve all got different surfaces and different textures and pitting, and they can be different shapes. Even the caps on them are all very unique.”
Where Has It Been All This Time?
Emmott and his colleagues suspect that the stick bug had yet to be discovered because of its habitat. These insects live in an area that is not easily accessible to humans.
“It’s restricted to a small area of high-altitude rainforest, and it lives high in the canopy. So, unless you get a cyclone or a bird bringing one down, very few people get to see them,” he said.
Their habitat and the climate could also be why these bugs are so big.
“It’s a cool, wet environment where they live,” said Emmott. “Their body mass likely helps them survive the colder conditions, and that’s why they’ve developed into this large insect over millions of years.”
What’s Next For Acrophylla Alta?
Two specimens of the species have been moved to the Queensland Museum. There, other scientists can observe these creatures, in hopes of learning more about them and their ecosystem.