Macleay's Spectre vs Montieth's Leaf Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Macleay's Spectre Montieth's Leaf Insect
Scientific Name Extatosoma popa Phyllium monteithi
Order Phasmatodea Phasmatodea
Family Phasmatidae Phylliidae
Size 10-14 cm 5-8 cm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Papua New Guinea Australia (Queensland)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Macleay's Spectre

A large, leaf-mimicking phasmid closely related to the giant prickly stick insect. Its body is covered in lobed projections resembling dried leaves.

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Did You Know?

Its lobed body appendages curl and resemble dead, decaying leaves to perfection.

Montieth's Leaf Insect

A leaf insect from the tropical forests of Queensland, Australia. It is one of only a few Phylliidae species found on the Australian continent.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the southernmost-ranging leaf insects in the world.