Two New Large Stick Insect Species Found in Australia
Researchers from the University of Sydney have identified two new large stick insect species, Anchiale robusta and Anchiale mabiensis, in a taxonomic
Insect detectives from the University of Sydney have uncovered two new species of large stick insect in Australia. The discovery 2026, shows that even frequently photographed insects can escape scientific recognition for decades.
Researchers revised the Australian representatives of the stick insect genus Anchiale. What was previously considered two species is now understood to be five distinct species. Their range stretches from northern New South Wales through coastal Queensland and into the tropical north.
Lead author Dr. Braxton Jones, a postdoctoral research associate, compared the work to detective work. "Even among some of Australia's most photographed and frequently reported insects, we're still finding species that have escaped scientific recognition," Jones said. The team combined DNA analysis, museum collections, surveys, citizen science records, and studies of captive populations to make their findings.
The Newly Recognized Species
One of the new species, Anchiale robusta, had been misidentified for decades. This large stick insect was long known to both scientists and enthusiasts. The comprehensive analysis revealed it was an entirely new species.
The other newly described species is Anchiale mabiensis. It was found in Queensland's critically endangered Mabi rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands. This species possesses a unique trait: its eggs contain a structural lid. This feature is unlike anything previously recorded in stick insects or their closest relatives.
The research also reinstated a third species that had been hidden in plain sight. The study identified a likely additional undescribed species from Cape York, though more specimens are needed to confirm its identity.
Implications for Science and Management
The findings have practical importance. A stick insect known for forming plague-like population outbreaks that can strip foliage from trees was found to consist of more than one species. Dr. Jones stated that untangling these species relationships will help improve future management of impacts on forestry and agriculture.
The discovery process relied on more than 1,000 citizen science observations from platforms like iNaturalist and the Atlas of Living Australia. Despite this wealth of data and decades of scientific study, the researchers say Australia is only scratching the surface of its insect diversity.
A Call for Continued Discovery
Dr. Jones emphasized the broader significance of the work. "These findings demonstrate the importance of protecting threatened ecosystems and documenting Australia's extraordinary biodiversity before we lose species without us having even discovered them," he said.
The research highlights how much remains unknown about Australia's insect biodiversity, even in backyards and well-visited rainforests. The study was conducted by researchers from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Aola Richards Sydney Insect Hub, and the Molecular Ecology, Evolution and Phylogenomics Laboratory.
