Scientists Discover Two New Giant Stick Insect Species in Australia

Scientists in Australia have identified two previously unknown species of large stick insects, showing that new species can still be hiding in some of the country’s most familiar landscapes.

The discovery came after researchers at the University of Sydney carried out a detailed review of Australian stick insects in the genus Anchiale. The study combined DNA analysis, museum specimens, field observations and information from citizen scientists.

A Species That Had Been Misidentified for Decades

One of the newly recognized insects, Anchiale robusta, had been known to researchers and insect enthusiasts for years. However, scientists had previously classified it as another species.

Genetic and physical evidence showed that it was actually a distinct species. The insect can grow to around 16 centimeters long and is found in coastal rainforest areas of Queensland.

An Insect With Unusual Eggs

The second new species, Anchiale mabiensis, was identified in the Mabi Forest on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland.

Its eggs have a remarkable structure that includes a lid-like section. Researchers say this type of egg structure has not previously been recorded in stick insects or their closest relatives.

Five Species Instead of Two

Before the study, scientists recognized only two species within this group of Australian stick insects. The research showed that the group actually contains five distinct species.

The insects are distributed across a large area stretching from northern New South Wales through coastal Queensland and into tropical northern Australia.

Citizen Scientists Helped Provide the Clues

The researchers were able to use more than 1,000 observations submitted through platforms including iNaturalist and the Atlas of Living Australia.

These observations, combined with specimens held in museums and information from captive insects, helped scientists compare populations that had previously been treated as the same species.

Why the Discovery Matters

The findings could have practical importance because some related stick insects can appear in very large numbers and consume substantial amounts of foliage.

Understanding which insects belong to different species can help researchers and land managers better understand their populations and potential effects on forests and agriculture.

More Species May Still Be Waiting to Be Found

The researchers have also identified a possible additional species in Cape York. However, they say more specimens are needed before it can officially be described as a new species.

The discovery demonstrates how DNA analysis and modern biodiversity research can reveal hidden differences even among animals that scientists have studied for decades.

Sources

• University of Sydney — “New stick insect species revealed in Australia’s backyards and rainforests” — September 22, 2026.
• Austral Entomology — “A Revision of Australian Anchiale Stål, 1875, with the Description of Two New Species” — September 21, 2026.
• ABC News — “Two new stick insect species uncovered in Far North Queensland” — September 22, 2026.
• ScienceDaily — “This giant stick insect fooled scientists for decades” — October 1, 2026.