Giant Thorny Stick Insect Trachyaretaon brueckneri

The Giant Thorny Stick Insect is native to the Philippines. The larger female is up to 15cm long and the narrower, smaller, more stick-like male is some 7-10cm long. Like some other stick insects, males will fight over females and when they become a couple the male will stay on or near the female's back for the rest of his 12-18 month lifespan.

They eat leaves (eucalyptus, bramble, privet). When disturbed, they curl their tails up to resemble scorpions.