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An unidentified stick insect (Phasmatodea). "Their natural camouflage can make them extremely difficult to spot. Phasmatodea can be found all over the world in warmer zones, especially the tropics and subtropics. The greatest diversity is found in Southeast Asia and South America, followed by Australia. Phasmids also have a considerable presence in the continental United States." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phasmatodea...
Spotted in a Casuarina tree near the hedged boundary fence of a school campus which is nestled in the lower foothills of the Cyclops mountains. The campus is surrounded by villages, gardens and disturbed forest.
I scared this walking stick out of a hedge row as I walked by and it took to flight with impressive shimmering gossamer wings but was caught in a steady montane breeze. Making no progress, it succumbed to the wind and landed 2 metres above me in this Casuarina tree. With the wind and at that distance, only this one image is perhaps sharp enough to post.
Spotted on Dec 12, 2012
Submitted on Dec 25, 2012
5 Comments
Thanks Argy!
Good find Scott. That looks like one of the softer leaved casuarinas. I found a good stick insect is a hard thing to photograph... maybe one of those sweep-panoramas in macro mode.
Thanks Martin, I'll start there!
One this large is likely to be a female and it is considered that even with large wings they are very weak fliers due to their massive weight. The titan stick is the longest Australian one and seen on conifers. This is a possible candidate for your ID, Acrophylla sp. but only a guess. Check http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...
haha This is so COOL !