Macleays phasmid (female)

Interesting creature and beautiful picture.

Yes shanna I breed these for schools and pets. I have approx 100 currently. These include several other Australia species.
@ Argybee. Extatosoma includes two species. E. popa from New Guinea is similar but larger. Both species have a mottled (mossy) form/subspecies and E. tiaratum can occur totally green.

Thanks for the info. Martin, do you breed them?

They occur along the east coast of Australia north of the frost zone. More common further north. Wild status is secure. They are killed by winter frost, therefore not established in Victoria. Males are long and skinny and originally described as a different species. Females can multiply parthenogenically, without males and only daughters are produced. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/819...

Ah there we go NSW QLD and some PNG

I wonder where their original range is/was ? Do they still exist in the wild?

This is a stick insect even though it is technically imitating a leaf. The males are skinny and a more traditional stick. Macleay was one of Australia's most prominent entomologists and his collection forms part of the museum of Sydney. They are bred as pets by individuals, schools and zoos around the world. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/819...

Thanks Martin! How do you know it's a female?