Ctenomorpha gargantua

Ctenomorpha gargantua, the gargantuan stick insect, is a species of stick insect that is endemic to rainforests in northeastern Queensland, Australia.[1] It is Australia's longest stick insect and among the world's longest stick insects, with females having been confirmed at up to 56.5 cm (22.2 in) in total length, including extended legs and cerci (protusions from the end of their body, which are unusually long in this species[2]), but they can likely grow even larger, as there are unconfirmed measurements of up to 61.5 cm (24.2 in).[3][4][5] Both sexes are brown, but males only reach about two-thirds the length of females and they are also thinner.[2][6]

Ctenomorpha gargantua
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Phasmatodea
Family: Phasmatidae
Genus: Ctenomorpha
Species:
C. gargantua
Binomial name
Ctenomorpha gargantua
Hasenpusch & Brock, 2006

Males can fly and actively seek females, whereas the flightless females are believed to live inconspicuously high in the rainforest canopy; only a few females have ever been found in the wild.[2] If no male is present, a female can breed alone via parthenogenesis.[6][7] The eggs, which resemble small plant seeds, are dropped onto the ground from the canopy by the female, with the young making their way back to the canopy after hatching.[6] A captive breeding program is run by Museum Victoria,[7] and the species is also maintained by hobbyist stick insect keepers.[6] Their wild food plants are unknown,[1] but captives will feed on Eucalyptus, Syzygium australe and Corymbia torelliana.[6][7]

References
  1. Hasenpusch, Jack, and Paul D. Brock. "Studies on the Australian stick insect genus Ctenomorpha Gray (Phasmida: Phasmatidae: Phasmatinae), with the description of a new large species." Zootaxa 1282 (2006): 1-15.
  2. Tu, C. (17 February 2016). "Behold, The Gargantuan Stick Insect". Science Friday. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  3. Brock, Paul D.; Hasenpusch, Jack W. (2009). The Complete Field Guide to Stick and Leaf Insects of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. p. 106. ISBN 9780643094185.
  4. Dean, S. (15 February 2016). "Gargantuan Aussie stick insect has babies in a world first". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  5. Cane, S. (10 March 2014). "Australia's biggest stick insect found". Australian National Geographic. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  6. "Care guide: Garantuan Stick Insect, Ctenomorpha gargantua" (PDF). minibeastwildlife. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  7. Smith, Bridie. "Discovery of stick-thin Lady Gaga thrills scientists". Brisbane Times. Brisbane Times. Retrieved 7 January 2016.


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