I love this little guy

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Rory
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I love this little guy

Post by Rory »

I came out to check on my Banksia yesterday and found this little guy eating the leaves (well, relatively little : 20cm long).

I didn't realize they ate foliage. But I just sat there admiring it while it chewed half a leaf.

It has lived on my Casuarina cunninghamiana for the last month and was perfectly camoflauged for the segmented growth. Sometimes you don't even realize its there. But unfortunately I had to cut back the trunk on it. So it has obviously moved onto my Banksia now.

I feel bad because I need to cut back the Banksia too, but I'm going to wait till the Casuarina thickens more so at least it will have another home to move onto.
Insect.jpg
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Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
Max
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Re: I love this little guy

Post by Max »

Stick insect :D
shibui
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Re: I love this little guy

Post by shibui »

Stick insect :D
Yep. One of many species we have in Aus though most seem to live high in the canopy and are not often encountered. Stick insects are herbivores so definitely eating leaves of the trees they live in. Preying mantis is a carnivore - looks a little similar but has the strong front legs to catch prey.

Nice find Rory :clap:
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Steve B
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Re: I love this little guy

Post by Steve B »

Looks like a Goliath stick insect, which at 20cm will still have some growing to do - particularly if it’s a female! Shouldn’t mind feasting on most of your native collection - particularly if you’ve got some eucalypts in need of some gentle defoliation....
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Rory
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Posts: 2807
Joined: January 23rd, 2013, 11:19 pm
Favorite Species: Baeckea Phebalium Casuarina & Banksia
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Re: I love this little guy

Post by Rory »

Steve B wrote:Looks like a Goliath stick insect, which at 20cm will still have some growing to do - particularly if it’s a female! Shouldn’t mind feasting on most of your native collection - particularly if you’ve got some eucalypts in need of some gentle defoliation....
:lol:

It’s become my “stick” buddy when I’m working on my trees.
Rory
I style Bonsai naturally, just as they would appear in the wild.
Central Coast, NSW
Bonsai: Casuarina Leptospermum Banksia Phebalium Baeckea Melalueca Ficus

Growing Australian natives as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=289480#p289480

Buying and repotting Native nursery material: viewtopic.php?f=78&t=30724

Growing tips for Casuarina as Bonsai: viewtopic.php?p=244995#p244995

How to reduce moss from the trunk without damaging the bark: viewtopic.php?p=295227#p295227
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