Acrophylla alta
| Acrophylla alta | |
|---|---|
| |
| Holotype female in nature | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Phasmatodea |
| Family: | Phasmatidae |
| Subfamily: | Phasmatinae |
| Tribe: | Phasmatini |
| Genus: | Acrophylla |
| Species: | A. alta
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acrophylla alta Coupland & Emmott, 2025
| |
Acrophylla alta is a species of stick insect in the tribe Phasmatini described in 2025.[1]
Named the Highlands Giant Acrophylla, this species was found in the Atherton Tablelands: highland tropical forests of Queensland (Millaa Millaa is the type locality).[2] The species was described by scientists Ross M. Coupland and Angus J. Emmott based on two female specimens.[1] The holotype was collected by Coupland in November 2024[3] and the paratype by van Oosterzee, Preece and Emmott in February 2025,[4] and both are lodged at the Queensland Museum.[1]
Description
This species of stick insect is notable in that it may be the heaviest insect in Australia, heavier than the giant burrowing cockroach.[5] One individual weighed 44 g and this may mitigate heat loss in its high altitude environment.[1] The species can be distinguished from other species in the genus Acrophylla by its 265–279 mm long body (c.f. A. titan which is 200–260 mm), and its large (4 x >6 mm) pale eggs that have dense, deep pitting.[1][6]
The species epithet alta refers to the high elevation at which this species is known to occur, higher than 900 m above sea level.[1] Individuals of this species occupy the canopies of very tall trees from 30 to 60 m high, making it difficult to study them.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Coupland, R; Emmott, A (2025). "A new giant species of Acrophylla Gray, 1835 (Phasmida: Phasmatidae: Phasmatini) from the highlands of the Wet Tropics, Queensland, Australia". Zootaxa. pp. 371–383. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5647.4.4.
- ^ Phasmida Species File: Species Acrophylla alta Coupland & Emmott, 2025 (retrieved 31 July 2025)
- ^ "Acrophylla alta holotype". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Acrophylla alta paratype". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Close-Brown, Eelemarni (2025-07-31). "Supersized stick insect discovered in high-altitude trees in Australia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ Anderson, Natali (2025-08-01). "New Species of Giant Stick Insect Discovered in Australia | Sci.News". Sci.News: Breaking Science News. Retrieved 2025-08-04.
- ^ Woodford, James. "New-to-science stick insect is the heaviest ever found in Australia". New Scientist. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
External links
Media related to Acrophylla alta at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Acrophylla at Wikispecies