giant insect saved

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Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis)

Lord Howe Island Stick Insects (Dryococelus australis) had not been seen for over 80 years and were believed to be extinct. Just another very large bug, come and gone. (At 4.72 inches long, it's the heaviest flightless stick insect in the world.) Early explorers called them "tree lobsters" for obvious reasons.

But the six-legged behemoths had found an unlikely place to hide. Minding their own business, just getting by, albeit precariously, but getting by nevertheless.

That is until they were rediscovered. 

Part of their success is a very unusual insect behavior. For the sake of giving it a name, let's call it canoodling. 

"Lord Howe Island walking sticks seem to pair off and sleep at night, in pairs, the male with three of his legs protectively over the female beside him," reports NPR's Robert Krulwich.


Key to survival tip #1: protect the baby-makers. 


Great story. 

Rikki, this one's for you.

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