Map_thumbnail_large_font

Dryococelus australis

Status_ne_offStatus_dd_offStatus_lc_offStatus_nt_offStatus_vu_offStatus_en_offStatus_cr_onStatus_ew_offStatus_ex_off

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA ARTHROPODA INSECTA PHASMIDA PHASMATIDAE

Scientific Name: Dryococelus australis
Species Authority: (Montrouzier, 1855)
Common Name/s:
English – Land Lobster, Lord Howe Island Phasmid, Lord Howe Island Stick-insect

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Critically Endangered D ver 3.1
Year Published: 2002
Annotations:
Needs updating
Assessor/s: ANZECC Endangered Fauna Network
Reviewer/s: Hilton-Taylor, C. & Pollock, C.M. (Red List Programme Office)
Contributor/s:
Justification:
Dryococelus australis was thought to have become Extinct around 1920 after the introduction of rats to Lord Howe Island. However, in 2001 the species was rediscovered on Balls Pyramid, a rocky outcrop 23 km from Lord Howe Island.
History:
1996 – Extinct
1994 – Extinct? (Groombridge 1994)
1990 – Extinct (IUCN 1990)
1988 – Extinct (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986 – Extinct (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: It was previously thought that Dryococelus australis was endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia. In the 1960s, large stick insects were reported to exist on Balls Pyramid, a rocky outcrop 23 km away from Lord Howe Island (Smithers 1969). A scientific expedition to the rock in 2001 confirmed that this stick insect is Dryococelus australis (Macey 2001).
Countries:
Native:
Australia
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population: After the introduction of rats to Lord Howe island in 1918, the population dwindled and the species was thought to have become extinct in 1920. Current numbers on Balls Pyramid are not known.
Population Trend: Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: Dryococelus australis is a large, heavy-bodied species (Gurney 1947). On Lord Howe Island the species was found in large cavities in the trunks of living trees, emerging at night to feed. However, Balls Pyramid is a small, desolate, rock island without trees.
Systems: Terrestrial
Citation: ANZECC Endangered Fauna Network 2002. Dryococelus australis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
Disclaimer: To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback: If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided