Goliath Stick Insect
On many occasions when my family and I where walking on our property, we saw what appeared to be miniature silk fans lying on the ground. We couldn’t determine where they where from, but after much thought, the answer was simple – fairies do exist.
However, we where disappointed, one morning in our garden when my brother spotted a stick insect that was sunning its lovely bright purple wings, and we later identified it as the Goliath Stick Insect, not a fairy!
The Goliath Stick Insects are the second largest stick insect in Australia and they have a number of defence mechanisms.
Its primary mechanism is heavy camouflage because it resembles a twig or branch so that it can hide from predators.
Its second defence mechanism is to scare its predators. When disturbed it will display the bright colour under its wings and the eyes-patterns between the thorax and rear legs. This, together with a swishing sound apparently coming from the wings, it will also kick its spiny legs which will help frighten the predator.
For more information on the Goliath Stick Insect go to /www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_hoppers/Goliath
Kaia Angele
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