Latest news with #AngusEmmott
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Giant Stick Insect Found Hiding in Rainforest May Be Australia's Heaviest
A colossal stick insect found living in the highland rainforest of northeastern Australia could be the chonkiest (read: heaviest) bug the continent has to offer. Acrophylla alta, as the species has been named, weighs up to 44 grams (1.6 ounces) – comparable to a golf ball. In length, it measures around 41 cm (16 inches) with its legs outstretched, significantly longer than the average human forearm. "There are longer stick insects out there [in the region], but they're fairly light bodied," says natural scientist Angus Emmott, formerly of Australia's James Cook University, now retired. "From what we know to date, this is Australia's heaviest insect." The newly discovered bug makes its home high in the canopy of the Atherton Tablelands, a highland rainforest in tropical Queensland in Australia. Here, the trees are old, and can be up to 30 meters (100 feet) high. Many insect species have been understudied and overlooked, simply because their habitat is so hard for humans to access. Related: 'Bone Collector' Caterpillar Wears Dead Bugs to Steal Prey From Spiders In the case of A. alta, there's another confounding factor: in its natural habitat, the insect is extremely well camouflaged, in spite of its humungous size and weight. Because Atherton is a tropical region, however, weather events such as storms can sometimes rattle insects loose from the canopy. A. alta was discovered because amateur naturalists came across it at lower altitudes than these kinds of insects are typically seen, and uploaded their observations to iNaturalist. There, they were spotted by entomologist Ross Coupland, who recruited Emmott to investigate the mysterious species. They managed to observe and collect some specimens – and, crucially for identification, the species' eggs. "Every species of stick insect has their own distinct egg style," Emmott explains. "They've all got different surfaces and different textures and pitting, and they can be different shapes. Even the caps on them are all very unique." The insect's hefty weight, the researchers say, could be an adaptation that helps it thrive in the treetops of Atherton, where conditions are cool and wet. A higher body mass reduces the rate at which thermal energy is lost, which could be beneficial for the stick insect's egg development. Further research would be needed to confirm this theory, though. The research also underscores just how little we know about the world around us, when an insect as chonky as A. alta can evade detection for all this time. "The discovery of such a large, new species of insect is testament to the importance of protecting remaining, biologically diverse habitats and ecosystems, as there may be further species of phasmid and other insects awaiting discovery and description therein," the researchers write. Their discovery has been published in Zootaxa. Related News Evidence of World-Changing Comet Explosion 12,800 Years Ago Found in The Ocean 'Hot Blob' Heading For New York Following Ancient Greenland Rift Prehistoric Air Has Been Reconstructed From Dinosaur Teeth in an Amazing First Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Australia's heaviest insect discovered: Meet the giant sick insect Acrophylla alta
Australia is known for its extraordinary wildlife, from giant snakes to enormous spiders. Now, researchers have discovered a new contender for the country's most remarkable creature, a massive stick insect that may be the heaviest ever recorded in Australia. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The newly identified species, Acrophylla alta, was found in the high-altitude rainforests of North Queensland. Measuring up to 16 inches long and weighing around 44 grams, this giant insect highlights the incredible biodiversity hidden in remote forest canopies. The discovery also underscores how much there is still to explore and understand in Earth's natural ecosystems. Acrophylla alta: Giant stick insect found in remote North Queensland Acrophylla alta is a newly discovered species of stick insect that has captured the attention of scientists and nature lovers alike. Found in the high-altitude rainforests of North Queensland, Australia, this massive insect can grow up to 16 inches (40 cm) long, making it one of the largest stick insects in the country. While it's not the longest, that title belongs to Ctenomorpha gargantua at 22 inches, A. alta is believed to be the heaviest, with one specimen weighing approximately 1.6 ounces (44 grams). The insect was discovered in the Tablelands region, between 1,600 to 3,900 feet (500 to 1,200 meters) above sea level. This remote and cool, wet rainforest environment, particularly the high canopy, makes it difficult to access and is likely why this species remained undetected for so long. Scientists believe that A. alta only becomes visible when knocked down by storms or birds, explaining its elusive nature. Why is this insect so big Scientists believe the insect's size might be related to its environment. High-altitude regions tend to be cooler, and larger body sizes may help animals survive in such climates. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This idea is linked to Bergmann's Rule, a scientific theory suggesting that animals in colder environments tend to be larger to retain body heat. How was the insect studied by researchers The species was formally described in a scientific paper published in June 2024 in the journal . Researchers from James Cook University, including Angus Emmott, were part of the team who studied and documented Acrophylla alta. They described it as a 'spectacular new species' and believe its heavy body structure makes it a unique discovery in the insect world. How does it compare with other giant insects Acrophylla alta: Up to 16 inches long and weighs about 44 grams (1.6 ounces) Ctenomorpha gargantua: Can grow up to 22 inches but is lighter in weight Other large insects may grow long, but few match the weight of A. alta. This makes Acrophylla alta the heaviest recorded insect in Australia, based on current scientific data. Also read |
National Geographic
5 days ago
- Science
- National Geographic
This colossal stick bug is real. How many more monster insects are out there?
Sitckbugs are evolved to blend in with trees. This recently discovered one is the heaviest known insect in Australia. Photograph By Ross M. Coupland A thousand meters up in a humid, cloud-covered forest, amidst a slew of twigs and limbs, an onlooker spotted something different—this branch had legs. But even for a stick insect, a forest dweller evolved to look like a tree offshoot, this one was unusual. They quickly snapped a picture and posted it to social media. That's how scientists first saw the creature, which is now recognized as a newly discovered species and the heaviest known insect in Australia. 'We didn't expect to find anything this big,' says Angus Emmott, a researcher at James Cook University in Australia who helped identify the insect. 'It's about the length of your forearm.' The largest collected example of the species, now called Acrophylla alta, weighed in at 44 grams—about the weight of a golf ball. It's a third heavier than Australia's previous heavyweight champ, Emmott says, and is just a few inches smaller than the country's longest insect. 'This one definitely blends in better as a branch than a twig' says Nicole Gunter, the curator of entomology at Queensland Museum, home to two Acrophylla alta specimens. New insect species are frequently discovered, and while nearly two million have been identified, there may be as many as 30 million unidentified insect species left in the world. Gunter's own museum collection receives newly identified insects multiple times throughout the year, but it's still uncommon to find one this large.
News18
5 days ago
- Science
- News18
Heaviest Bug Ever Discovered In Australian Jungle, Weighs...
Last Updated: Scientists discovered Acrophylla alta, Australia's heaviest insect, weighing 44g and measuring 40cm, in the high-altitude rainforests of Millaa Millaa, Queensland People are often afraid of insects, but given their small size, most don't hesitate to kill them. However, imagine if those very insects were much larger, would anyone still have the courage to face them? It's hard to picture such creatures growing in size, but when they do, their appearance can be truly terrifying. This is exactly what happened recently in Australia, where scientists discovered a massive insect, so large and heavy that it has now been declared the heaviest insect species ever recorded in the country. Giant Stick Insect Scientists have identified a new species of stick insect in the dense, high-altitude rainforests of Millaa Millaa in the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland. Named Acrophylla alta, this insect has stunned researchers with its size. It weighs approximately 1.55 ounces (around 44 grams), roughly the weight of a golf ball—and stretches about 15.75 inches (40 centimetres) in length. While longer stick insects have been documented in the past, Acrophylla alta is now considered the heaviest known species in Australia. Angus Emmott, a researcher from James Cook University who contributed to the discovery, said, 'An insect heavier than this has never been seen in Australia. Its size and weight are likely a result of evolutionary adaptation to its unique environment." Years Of Evolution The insect thrives in cool, moist, high-altitude forests, and scientists believe its large, heavy body helps it survive in such challenging conditions. 'It has evolved over millions of years to live in these tough environments," Emmott explained. Interestingly, it wasn't just the insect's size that confirmed it as a new species; its eggs also played a crucial role. Stick insect eggs are known to have unique characteristics, including differences in structure, surface texture, and size. 'The outer shell, small pits, texture, and even the cap of each species' egg are unique," Emmott added. Acrophylla alta was discovered in the upper canopy of rainforest trees, which explains why it had evaded discovery for so long. 'It lives at such heights that it's nearly impossible for humans to spot it—unless a storm or a bird brings it down," Emmott said. Two specimens have been sent to the Queensland Museum for further research. Scientists hope this discovery will not only deepen our understanding of insect biodiversity but also raise awareness about conservation efforts in Australia's unique rainforests. view comments Location : Australia First Published: August 07, 2025, 16:23 IST News viral Heaviest Bug Ever Discovered In Australian Jungle, Weighs... Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Epoch Times
05-08-2025
- Science
- Epoch Times
A Big Stick Discovered in Queensland Is Australia's Heaviest Insect
Australia is known for many 'big' things—the Big Pineapple, the Big Prawn, and the Big Merino to name but a few—but they've now been joined by the big stick insect. And unlike the other examples, this one is alive and in no way man-made. Two researchers, Ross Coupland and Angus Emmott, have discovered a new species of stick insect, called Acrophylla alta, which weighs in at around 44 grams, or slightly less than a golf ball.
