Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect Extatosoma tiaratum

Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect
Giant Spiny Stick Insect
Giant Prickly Stick Insect
Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect is also called the Giant Spiny and the Giant Prickly Stick. It is native to northeastern Australia and usually eats eucalyptus leaves but will also eat bramble.
Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect
Giant Spiny Stick Insect
Giant Prickly Stick Insect pair
Camouflaged as leaves, they can be green, yellow or brown. The larger female above, the green version looking a little similar to its relative, the Malaysian Jungle Nymph. She grows to some 15cm long but can't fly. The smaller males (above right on back of female) are narrower, more stick-like and reach 12cm; they can fly.
Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect
Giant Spiny Stick Insect
Giant Prickly Stick Insect
When disturbed, they curl their tail up to resemble a scorpion and give off a pungent odour. When relaxed, they just hang about or sway with the wind.
Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect The mouthparts.
Giant Spiny Stick Insect It is Australia's largest native stick insect.
Giant Prickly Stick Insect They are nocturnal. Lifespan is 12-18 months.
Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect
Giant Spiny Stick Insect
Giant Prickly Stick Insect
Females can reproduce sexually with males or parthogenically making a clone of themselves. Offspring from the former are stronger and healthier.