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Titan Stick Insect

Acrophylla titan

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Field Notes

Description:

32 35cm long Phasmid. Mostly olive green with markings that range from red inner-arms to purple spines. The under side of the wings appear to be mottled purple and pale beige or black with mottling. Slow moving insect

Notes:

#35cm phasmid march 14. The colours look similar to a Titan Stick Insect Acrophylla titan http://www.ozanimals.com/Insect/Titan-Stick-Insect/Acrophylla/titan.html but this one is larger than the range for that species.
I think it is the larger Ctenomorpha chronus (see reference link) Thanks to matinl for the id, his links can stand as references

Reference Links:

Phasmatodea

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
StephenSolomons
Thanks so much for taking the time Martin. It was a lovely beast to handle and a privilege . So calm and gentle.
MartinL
That's a great specimen Stephen. I suspect you have the Titan stick insect which is considered (sometimes) to be the largest species in Australia and not uncommon. I think you have a female as the male is slimmer. A photo of the tail, (cerci and anal segments) is useful for ID and gender. Check these images http://www.oceanwideimages.com/Large-Image.asp?pID=12540&cID=346&rp=categories%2Easp%3FcID%3D346%26p%3D1 http://www.oceanwideimages.com/Large-Image.asp?pID=12539&cID=346&rp=categories%2Easp%3FcID%3D346%26p%3D1 http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/6123/#b http://ozwildlifestudio.com/visited-by-some-strange-bugs/
Mark Ridgway
Great find! Those spines on the back are interesting. Someone else had that with no ID...

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Flora & Fauna of New South Wales
Photographed
PublishedMarch 15, 2014

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