Huge Stick Insect Discovered in Australia
A new species of stick insect, Acrophylla alta, has been discovered in Australia's northeastern rainforests. The insect, which resembles a twig, is described as "supersized" in a newswire released by James Cook University.
The Find and its Importance
Professor Angus Emmott of James Cook University identified the species. He described the rainforest as a "whole different world" and explained that the insects could be crucial in restoring balance to ecosystems altered by climate change.
Finding a new species, especially one that is large, is always exciting, but especially so after the devastation of the past two years,
said Professor Emmott.
These sticks insects are really impressive, often reaching 40 cm in length and weighing roughly 44 g, which is slightly less than a golf ball,
he added.
Where Else Are They Found?
The stick insect species A. alta is part of the Acrophylla genus, which can be found across Australia. Its natural defense mechanism makes it difficult to spot, as it resembles the branches and leaves of the rainforest where it lives.
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