Eurycnema goliath

. E. goliath was first described by English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1834, using two female specimens, one of which came from the collection belonging to British entomologist John Curtis at the Museum of Victoria. In 1835, Gray then transferred the insect to the genus Acrophylla. 7 years later in 1842, Dutch zoologist Wilhelm de Haan transferred the goliath to the genus Cyphrocrania == Description ==

, in front (centre) is a female showing the longitudinal green bands towards the head. With an adult body length of 105–146 mm in males, and 155–204 mm in females, The phasmid has a large head coloured yellow with three longitudinal green bands running from the eyes to the back of the head. Wings of E. goliath are large and run down the majority of the abdomen, two distinct white bands run continuously down the forewing and hindwings. Forewings are the same apple-green as the body, with a vibrant red ventral surface in females. Hindwings are transparent and green veined. Despite being fully winged, females are incapable of flight, this is likely due to their size and weight. Males have larger wings and are significantly smaller than females, enabling strong flight. == Life cycle ==

Goliath stick insects are hemimetabolous, going through an incomplete metamorphosis with egg, nymph and adult life stages. E. goliath become sexually mature following their final moult, where they can consistently reproduce throughout the rest of their adult lives. The body of female goliath stick insects becomes very large during the egg-laying period. Eggs are large, dark brown and oval shaped, with a thick bark-like ridged exterior. The egg also contains a large yellow capitulum, an edible fleshy structure similar to that of elaiosomes in plant seeds, that serves the purpose of attracting ants to collect and disperse eggs. with a reduction in dispersal rates seen when the capitula is removed. Ants will often bring the egg underground into nests, which protects the egg from the environment and predation. Although numerous species of ants are expected to carry and disperse the eggs, only Rhytidoponera metallica, an ant common within the distribution of the E. goliath, has been recorded undertaking the behaviour. There are five instar stages prior to becoming an adult, with moulting occurring between each stage. Nymphs usually hatch during the night and can be active immediately, where they will instinctually climb nearby trees just after hatching. The first instar of the E. goliath is dark brown with a very slender body and legs, cerci are prominent and antennae are very short. Following the first moult, the insect will increase in size but no other physical changes are apparent. After the second moult, along with a further increase in size, the nymph will change in colour from the dark brown to a mottled greyish brown colour. This colouration will consist of less brown and more grey in successive moults. Following the third moult, along with changes in size and colour, sexual dimorphism between nymphs becomes visible; this involves both the development of male genitalia as well differences in body dimensions, with larger bodied females, and longer antennae in males. After the fourth moult, there is a further increase in size and spine development on the legs increases. In the fifth and final nymphal moult there is no increase in the body size of the nymph, yet wings will grow considerably during this period. The final moult to become an adult E. goliath takes over an hour, with the development of their distinct bright apple-green colouration and wings unfolding to reach their full size. == Distribution and habitat ==

The goliath stick insect is widespread throughout Australia's east coast in New South Wales and southern Queensland. The number of mature individuals present in the wild, and the population trend is unknown. Despite this, Eurycnema goliath is considered common across its distribution range, and was classified as 'least concern' in the IUCN red list, following a 2016 species assessment. == Threats ==

Threats facing Eurycnema goliath are primarily in the form of habitat loss, due to the reliance of the insect on eucalyptus and acacia species for both a food source, and for protection from predators. Bushfires Over ''E. goliath's distribution range, especially in southeastern Australia, large bushfires are extremely frequent. Bushfires in this region causes considerable habitat loss, killing individual insects and potentially leading to ecosystem conversion. The increasing frequency and intensity of bushfires due to climate change further increases the direct impact of these events on the insect, and increases the period needed for habitat recovery. These factors bushfire event are the largest threats to Eurycnema goliath'' populations. Despite the magnitude of this threat, due to the wide distribution range of the E. goliath, the likelihood of bushfires threatening the overall survival of the species is low. == Behaviour ==

Anti-predator adaptations Camouflage In a form of passive camouflage and plant mimicry, the goliath stick insect has evolved to resemble the leaf, or branch of a tree with its coloration and shape. Faeces removal When defecating, the E. goliath will catch its frass in its operculum, and using a whole body flicking motion, it will throw them away to the ground. This is said to be an adaptation to avoid predators detecting the location of the insect through seeing nearby frass. Competition There is no recorded instances of competition between the males of E. goliath, however adult females have been witnessed fighting. Females have been recorded fatally injuring each other through squeezing the rival insect's body in the crook of their heavily spined hind legs. == Diet and predation ==

Diet The goliath stick insect is folivorous, and in the wild primarily feeds on the leaves of the Acacia and Eucalyptus species they inhabit. with the insect serving as a key food source for nestlings of species such as Aviceda subcristata == Interaction with humans ==

As they are easy to care for and effectively harmless to humans, the goliath stick insect is commonly kept as an exotic pet and it is particularly popular among children. Adults raised in captivity are said to live 6–7 months. Due to their size, sightings of wild E. goliath are also often mentioned in local newspapers. ==See also==