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Peppermint Stick Insect
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
Peppermint
Stick Insect,
Megacrania batesii
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This is one of the most
interesting and well-known insects in the Australian tropical rainforest.
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This gorgeous animal is found
only on Pandanus plants in coastal swamp and forest.
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They can often be detected by
the chewed leaves of the Pandanus plants on which they feed, and the large
amount of insect poo (‘frass’) they leave.
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They are usually slender animals
that can be different shades of green, to almost blue.
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Their common name derives from
the fact that they smell of peppermint when disturbed, but don't lean in too
close to smell them, or they may squirt you in the eye. Believe me.
Script: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
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