11805-14501 Phillip Island Centipede (Cormocephalus coyneii) large adult feeding on a Guenther's Island gecko (Christinus guentheri) in a 'white oak' tree (Lagunaria patersonii). Adult centipedes such as this can grow to almost a foot in length and they are a significant predator of vertebrates such as reptiles and seabird chicks on the island. Centipede venom is encased in two swollen pincer-like appendages or forcipules, on each side of the head. With these forcipules, the centipede envenomates its unsuspecting reptile or petrel chick prey and slowly consumes it whole, leaving behind only a cleanly stripped skeleton. Phillip Island, Norfolk Island Group *
11705-24501 Lord Howe 'land lobster' (Dryococelis australis) adult male, with heavily armed hind legs, foraging in Melaleuca at night. This remarkable Lord Howe Island phasmid, became extinct on Lord Howe around the 1920's following the arrival of rats, but was spectacularly rediscovered living on Ball's Pyramid in 2001 *
11705-24514 Lord Howe 'land lobster' (Dryococelis australis) adult pair (the female is larger) roosting together in tree hollow. This remarkable Lord Howe Island phasmid, became extinct on Lord Howe around the 1920's following the arrival of rats, but was spectacularly rediscovered living on Ball's Pyramid in 2001
