Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Dryococelus australis
Back from extinction
This species is currently classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN. It was believed to be extinct for 80 years (1920–2001) after introduced Black Rats wiped out the population on the main island.
Specialized Diet
The surviving wild population on Ball's Pyramid feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of the endemic Lord Howe Island Tea Tree (Melaleuca howeana).
World's Rarest Insect
When found, only three were seen in 2001 and 24 more in 2002, all surviving on a single Melaleuca bush, earning it the title of the rarest insect in the world at the time.
Field notes
| Range | Lord Howe Island and Ball's Pyramid, Australia |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | Adult Stage: About 1 year once maturity is reached |
| Size | About 15 cm long |
| Weight | Not recorded |
| Colour | Adults are a glossy dark, reddish-brown to black |
| Diet | Highly specialized leaf-eater |
| Family | The only species in its genus |
In the book
The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect is number 35 of the 101 creatures in Glowing Bugs. Its two pages show it from three sides, at its true size, with a map of where it lives. The plate is an artistic interpretation and does not show the true colours of the living animal.
