Eurycnema goliath
Description
The Goliath Stick Insect is one of the largest stick insects in Australia. They can grow to 25 centimetres in length, and are bright green in colour with yellow patches on the head, legs and thorax. Females are much larger than males and cannot fly due to their weight.
The Goliath has two pairs of bright green wings with red markings underneath, which are thought to discourage predators.
Goliath Stick Insects are common in Brisbane, although they are not easily seen because of their excellent camouflage.
Adaptations
- Female goliath can lay up to 1,000 eggs, and do not need to mate with a male to produce eggs (i.e. parthenogenesis)
- Stick insects have excellent camouflage
- Females emit a pheromone (chemical smell) to attract males to fly to their location to mate
Feeding relationships
- What I eat: leaves of Eucalypt trees
- What eats me: insectorovous birds (e.g. butcher bird, magpie, crow)
Interesting facts
Female goliath can lay eggs without them being fertilised by a male (i.e. parthenogenesis). This enables the species to survive during seasons where conditions are less than ideal.
Acknowledgements: Brisbane Insects, Bugs Ed