Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle vs New Caledonian Giant Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle New Caledonian Giant Stick Insect
Scientific Name Akis spinosa Clitarchus hookeri caledonicus
Order Coleoptera Phasmatodea
Family Tenebrionidae Phasmatidae
Size 18-25 mm 80-120 mm
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Malta, Mediterranean Islands New Caledonia
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Maltese Freshwater Crab Spider Beetle

A spiny darkling beetle found on Malta and other Mediterranean islands. It has prominent ridges and spines along its elytra.

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Did You Know?

Its spiny armor and habit of playing dead make it unappealing to most predators.

New Caledonian Giant Stick Insect

A large stick insect found in New Caledonia that mimics twigs and branches. Females can reproduce parthenogenetically without males.

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Did You Know?

Eggs resemble plant seeds and can take over six months to hatch.