11005-24918 NZ Giant stick insect (Argosarchus horridus) female on bush lawyer. This phasmid has the longest body length (15cm) of any NZ insect. Found throughout much of the North Island and large areas of the South Island. South Island populations are almost entirely female, and reproduce by parthenogenesis. Found in gardens on ramarama & rohutu hybrids (Lophomertus sp), and in the wild on horahora (Astelia banksii), bush lawyer and climbing rata. Otago Peninsula *
DSC_6109 NZ Giant stick insect (Argosarchus horridus) young hatchlings emerging from eggs in spring. These eggs have taken more than two years to develop in southern New Zealand, where populations are comprised entirely of female stick insects which reproduce by parthenogenesis. These young clones will grow up to be longer than any other native insect, with a body length of 15cm. Otago Peninsula *
DSC_6103 NZ Giant stick insect (Argosarchus horridus) a young hatchling emerges from an egg in spring. This egg has taken more than two years to develop in southern New Zealand, where populations are comprised entirely of female stick insects which reproduce by parthenogenesis. This young clone will grow up to be longer than any other native insect, with a body length of 15cm. Otago Peninsula *
