Acrophylla titan
(Extracted from http://wiki.mindcloud.org/wiki/Acrophylla_titan ;-D)
Also see Extatosoma tiaratum.
Acrophylla titan, also known as the Titan Stick Insect, is a species of phasmid native to the east coast of Australia. For most stages of their life, members of this species seem to provide another answer to the question, "what is brown and sticky?" I have noticed that these insects bear a strong resemblance to the sticks of the bottle brush tree, in their colour and the appearance of their segments. However, it could just be that the insects have a generic stick pattern, and I would make the same observation regardless of my chosen food plant. In any case, most people I invited to come and see my six-legged friend had great trouble spotting him amongst the sparse plant cuttings!
I have been fortunate enough to be the caretaker of one of these remarkable insects (named Friday) for the last few months, and have watched him grow from a youngster no more than 5cm in length to a surprisingly colourful adult almost five times as long from mandibles to end of abdomen! Females of this species apparently can grow up to 35cm in length, not including their front legs, which are often stretched out in front of them. Based on the rarity of males and the ability of other Australian phasmids to reproduce via parthenogenesis, and helped by my inability to notice any difference between male and female youngsters of this species, I had assumed that Friday was most likely a female. I was becoming worried at the prospect of the thousands of eggs that may start appearing and the need to build a larger enclosure...I was quite relieved when Friday emerged from what turned out to be his final moult as an adult male!
Much of the eating, drinking, moulting and mimicry behaviours are similar to E. tiaratum. In lieu of writing more at this moment I will provide two photos for your entertainment.
Friday before his final moult into adulthood.
Friday as an adult.
Something that has puzzled me is Friday's bright colours - the yellow and green patterns are at odds with his earlier brown coat and the few descriptions I have encountered on the web. I wonder if diet and environment affect the colour of the grown insect. I am tempted to adopt more Titan Stick Insects and experiment with different foods and foliage densities to see if anything can be determined!
