Giant+Prickly+Stick+Insect

The giant prickly stick insect, or "spiny leaf insect", is a large stick insect known as a phasmid. These insects should be handled very carefully, seeing as they can be quite prickly. The Macleay's Spectre Stick insect's legs resemble dried leaves in both color and shape.


 * Fast Facts**
 * Common Name: Macleay's Spectre Stick Insect
 * Scientific Name: Extatosoma tiaraturna
 * Average Lifespan: 0.9 years
 * They are harmless and do not generally sting
 * It is larger than most insects
 * Females have wings (but cannot fly) and are longer and thicker than the males.
 * Baby leaf insects are called nymphs

This stick insect is often found hanging from most foliage, especially in areas such as tropical/temperate rainforests, grasslands, and apline. The giant prickly stick insect is also commonly found in Australia in the Northeastern and Southeastern coastal regions of Queensland and New South Wales.
 * Habitat**


 * Narration:**

The Macleay’s Spectre Stick insect, or “giant prickly stick insect”, is a large stick insect known as a phasmid. These insects should be handled very carefully, seeing as they can be quite prickly. Its legs resemble dried leaves in both color and shape. It has an average life span of about 0.9 years. These insects are harmless and do not sting, but they can only hurt if handled incorrectly. The giant prickly stick insect is also larger than most insects and they are often found hanging from foliage in tropical/temperate rainforests, grasslands, and alpine. The female stick insects are longer and thicker than the males and also have wings, even though they cannot fly. Baby leaf insects are called Nymphs. The Macleay’s Spectre Stick insect is commonly found in Australia in the Northeastern and Southeastern coastal regions of Queensland and New South Wales.