Two new species of large stick insects have been discovered in far north Queensland by Australian researchers, highlighting how much remains unknown about the diversity of insects. The findings, published in the journal Austral Entomology, describe Anchiale robusta and Anchiale mabiensis, both of which were previously misclassified. The research team, led by Dr. Braxton Jones from the University of Sydney, used a combination of DNA analysis, museum records, citizen science data, and field surveys to uncover the true diversity of these insects. Their work revealed that what was once thought to be two species is actually five distinct species, all found in habitats ranging from northern New South Wales to northern Queensland. This discovery has important implications for conservation, as the insects are now known to occupy smaller and more specific areas than previously believed. Anchiale robusta is one of the newly identified species. Female insects can grow up to 12 to 16 centimeters in length, while males are smaller, reaching 9 to 10 centimeters. Most of their wings are black, but some have a faint purple color on the underside of their hindwings. Males are generally smaller than females because females are often too heavy with eggs to fly. This species had been misidentified for decades, and the team’s research has corrected that error. The second species, Anchiale mabiensis, is found in the critically endangered Mabi rainforest on Queensland's Atherton tablelands. The females of this species are slightly smaller than A. robusta, growing to about 11 to 12 centimeters. One of the most intriguing features of A. mabiensis is the structure of its eggs, which have a unique "lid" that detaches when the insect hatches. This discovery adds to the growing understanding of the adaptations of stick insects in their specific environments. Despite the visibility of these insects on citizen science platforms—where they are frequently reported due to their abundance and ability to reproduce in large numbers—Dr. Jones emphasized that much remains unknown about them. The research team also identified what may be a sixth new species in Cape York, but more specimens are needed to confirm this. In a related discovery from last year, scientists found Acrophylla alta, a 40-centimeter-long stick insect found in the same region. This species, which weighs slightly less than a golf ball, may be the heaviest insect in Australia. Meanwhile, the longest-known stick insect species, the gargantuan stick insect, can grow to over half a meter in length and is also found in northeastern Queensland.