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Project Noah Nature School
Extatosoma tiaratum
This is the empty shell case (exuvia) of the spiny leaf stick insect. They molt five times before reaching their adult size and shape. This is the penultimate (final) molting.
This insect is captive bred and not local to Victoria. They occur naturally in Queensland and New South Wales.
They are kept as pets around the world
Spotted on Jan 3, 2012
Submitted on Jan 3, 2012
5 Comments
Nice picture, second one doesn't show.
GrEAT FIND
Yes this is fragile. Often the owner eats the exuvia, possibly to 'hide the evidence'. I have about 15 specimens so get these shells regularly, each individual molts approximately monthly.
Great stuff. I suppose it is very fragile. Did she just do this one?
Here is the owner http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/819...