Australia's Heaviest Stick Insect Discovered

Scientists in Australia, including Angus Emmott from James Cook University, have discovered a new species of stick insect named Acrophylla alta. This species, found in the high-altitude rainforests of Far North Queensland, is believed to be Australia's heaviest insect, weighing 44 grams and measuring 40 cm long. Its large size is thought to be an evolutionary adaptation to its cool, wet habitat. Two specimens of Acrophylla alta have been added to the Australia — Queensland's collection for further research, and the discovery was formally described in the journal Zootaxa.