New giant insect discovered in Australia

Scientists have discovered a new giant stick insect in Australia. It may be the heaviest insect on the continent.

The new species, Acrophylla alta, which is 40 cm long, was discovered in the Atherton Tablelands in northern Queensland. Scientists believe that the habitat of these insects may be one of the reasons for their large size.

A researcher from James Cook University, Professor Angus Emmott, said that the discovery was helped by a publication on social networks. His co-author of the study, Ross Copeland, received a photo of the stick insect and thought that it could be something completely new.

Scientists have been looking for this insect for a long time, and finally found a large female. It was so high up that they had to use a long stick to lower it.

When Copeland saw the insect up close, he became sure that it was a new species of stick insect. The scientists kept the female in a cage, fed her, and collected eggs. According to Emmott, this species had not been discovered before because its habitat was too difficult to access. By the way, this may also be the reason for the insect’s size – its large body mass can help it survive in cold conditions.

Recall that scientists previously managed to breed chickens with feathers like dinosaurs.

To be continued…