Lord Howe Island is a small, volcanic land mass found between Australia and New Zealand. For most people visiting Oceania, it's not exactly a top-of-the-list destination. But it's got a special place in the hearts of some biologists.
Over a hundred years ago, an insect so large that it was nicknamed the "tree lobster" by the locals roamed the island and a smaller land mass called Ball's Pyramid. But after a British supply ship in 1918 left behind rats that would go on to invade their habitat, the entire stick insect population was devoured and presumed extinct a few decades later. Scientists assumed they'd seen the last of these huge creepy crawlers… until two people made a discovery years later that might have changed stick insect history forever.
Most people aren't crazy about insects unless they're butterflies or these adorable little fluffy bugs that look like they came straight from a fairy tale. And when those bugs are as large as the Lord Howe Island stick insect, nobody would blame you for arming yourself with a can of bug spray (and maybe a shotgun) if you came across one.
But these creatures are a scientist's dream come true. Only 24 of them are thought to remain in the wild, all congregating on the same bush on tiny Ball's Pyramid. And even if you can't find the beauty in things like these stunning close-up photographs of common bugs, we hope you can find it in your heart to root for the survival of this incredibly rare species. You can even donate to their conservation if you love them as much as I do!
Take a look at the story of these giant bugs, and then check out the video at the bottom of the page to see one hatching. It may not be quite as cute as a baby chick coming out of an egg for the first time, but scientists are hoping it will be enough to spark an interest in these fascinating creatures. I've been trying for so long to figure out how something so big fit into such a small egg, but I just can't wrap my head around it!
Make sure you SHARE this endangered insect's good news with all the nature lovers in your life!
The bugs had originally been found on Lord Howe Island and Ball's Pyramid, but were presumed extinct by 1960.
But in 2001, two scientists made an amazing discovery: 24 of these massive creatures were still alive, subsisting off the same bush.
To this day, they're thought to be the only group left living in the wild.
Four of the insects were permitted to be taken with the scientists, but only two survived to be bred in captivity.
Now that little babies are crawling around, biologists have hope for the future of these massive bugs.
They might not be the cutest creatures on the planet, but these prehistoric-looking insects sure are fascinating!
Check out this video to see one of these rare insects coming into the world! Am I strange for thinking it's completely adorable?
