Spiny Leaf insect
Extatosoma tiaratum
Also known as: Giant Prickly Stick Insect · Australian Walking Stick · Macleay's Spectre
Insecta
RARE
Stats
- Lifespan
- 6-18 months
- Size
- Huge
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Social
- Solitary
- Biome
- Tropical rainforest
- Range
- Australia
- Movement
- Climbing
- Breeding
- Egg-laying
- Defense
- Camouflage
- Status
- Rare
About
This large stick insect lives among the eucalyptus forests of Australia. It mimics a dried leaf by curling its abdomen and swaying to mimic movement in the wind.
Life cycle
- 1.eggA small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
- 2.juvenileAn immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
- 3.subadultA near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
- 4.adultFully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.
Learn more
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Phasmida
- Family
- Phasmatidae
- Genus
- Extatosoma
- Species
- Extatosoma tiaratum