In the remote, mist-covered rainforests of Far North Queensland, scientists have identified a new giant insect that may outweigh every other bug on the continent.

Measuring up to 40 centimeters in length and tipping the scales at 44 grams, *Acrophylla alta* is roughly the weight of a golf ball, making it a strong contender for Australia’s heaviest insect, according to Live Science.

Photo: YouTube / ABC News (Australia)

Acrophylla alta measures up to 40 centimeters long.

A Hidden Giant in the Canopy

The discovery was made high in the tree canopies of the Wet Tropics, a mountainous region where wildlife often escapes human notice. Researchers believe the insect’s size could be an adaptation to the cold, damp environment at altitudes above 900 meters, helping it survive in cooler conditions over millions of years, CNN reports.

Only two females have been collected so far, along with a third individual that was photographed and released. As New Scientist reports, the species name, *alta*, refers to both the elevation of its habitat and the towering canopy it inhabits.

Photo: YouTube / ABC News (Australia)

The insect weighs about 44 grams, similar to a golf ball.

From Social Media to Science

The find began when a photo of an unusually large stick insect surfaced online. Ross Coupland, co-author of the study, suspected it was something new. After several nights of searching, he and James Cook University’s Angus Emmott located a massive female between Millaa Millaa and Mount Hypipamee. It was perched so high they had to knock it down with a long stick, The Guardian notes.

Back at Emmott’s home, the team studied its eggs, which are a key identifier for stick insect species. Each species lays eggs with distinctive textures, shapes, and caps — like fingerprints for entomologists.

Conservation and the Unknown

Experts say the species’ isolation may have shielded it from detection — and from immediate threats. But its limited range could also make it vulnerable. Nicole Gunter of the Queensland Museum told The Guardian that up to 70% of Australia’s insect species remain undescribed, and recognition is the first step in conservation.

The next challenge is finding a male, which is expected to be smaller and harder to spot. Until then, much about *Acrophylla alta* — from its mating habits to its role in the ecosystem — will remain a mystery. For now, it holds a title no other insect in Australia can claim: the heavyweight champion of its kind.