New stick insect species discovered in Queensland forests
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Braxton Jones, a researcher at the University of Sydney, discovered two new species of stick insect in Far North Queensland, Australia.
One species, Anchiale robusta, lives in coastal rainforests from Tully to Cooktown and grows to around 160 millimeters long. The other, Anchiale mabiensis, is found only in the Mabi Forest on the Atherton Tablelands and reaches about 115 millimeters in length.
Jones identified the new species by examining physical characteristics like wing shape and colour, and uniquely, by studying their eggs. Anchiale mabiensis lays eggs with a series of rings and a lid, a feature unlike any other known stick insect egg. The discovery was published in the journal Austral Entomology. Terry Carmichael of the Wet Tropics Management Authority noted that research into invertebrate species like stick insects often lags behind studies of larger animals.
He explained that a significant portion of the original Mabi Forest, habitat for Anchiale mabiensis, has been cleared for farming, making the discovery of a rare insect there even more important for conservation. Environmental managers believe further research into invertebrates is necessary to inform conservation decisions. Jones hopes his work will inspire others to pursue entomology and appreciate the diversity of the natural world.
