Endangered Tree Lobster (Dryococelus australis) Lord Howell Island Stick Insect

Image by: Peter Halasz¹⁶

The boat was from Europe and thus carried a threat that struck many islands, including those of the Caribbean, through colonial times; the black rat,² also known as the roof rat. The SS Makambo was aground for nine days allowing a group of black rats the boat was carrying to infiltrate the island, resulting in an ecological catastrophe.

The boat itself was made operational again and lived a long fruitful life until 1944 when it was sunk by a British submarine while in possession of the Japanese during World War II.

The Tree Lobster’s Demise

The Tree Lobster, on the other hand, did not live a fruitful life. In 1918, the black rats spread throughout the island with the Tree Lobster serving as their main source of food.

By 1920, it was believed that the insects had become extinct; there were no signs of their existence until 1964 when a couple of dead Lord Howe Island Sticks were found on Ball’s Pyramid,³ a formation southeast of Lord Howe Island. In 1986, the species was considered extinct.⁴

Even though they were believed to be gone for good, there were still tales of people finding droppings belonging to the insect under a shrub on Ball’s Island. In 2001, some scientists visited Ball’s Pyramid and found the group of insects, igniting hope in their revival as a species.

The ecstatic scientists had found the insects with eggs clinging to the side of a rock formation nearly 300 feet up.⁵

Are Lobster Bugs Extinct?

In the wild, there are only 20 to 30 of these insects, so they aren’t extinct, but they are considered to be “critically endangered.”

The Tree Lobster came very close to extinction after the infestation of rats on Lord Howe Island, however, the conservation of these rare insects took off when both a male and female were caught on Ball’s Pyramid and brought to the Melbourne Zoo in 2003.⁶

(Image by: Granitethighs¹⁷)

The species would be extinct if it weren’t for the melaleuca bush on Ball’s Pyramid. This land stands at 1,844 feet and is the highest volcanic sea stack in the world.⁷

Although it’s sparse, it has been the refuge of a small group of Tree Lobsters, with the melaleuca bush serving as its food source.

However, Lord Howe Island is believed to have none.

The Resurgence of the Land Lobster

When the endangered Tree Lobster was brought to the Melbourne Zoo, scientists gathered the necessary materials to provide the right living conditions and diet for the insects.⁸ Eggs from the Melbourne Zoo were brought to the San Diego Zoo three times in an effort to expand their conservation and growth.

More recently, more insect eggs were shared with the Toronto Zoo in Canada and the Bristol Zoo in the U.K. On Lord Howe Island, the rat population has been curbed and many of the bird species have surged, but the island still awaits a sizable group of Tree Lobsters to repopulate it.⁷

Still one of the rarest bugs, the endangered Tree Lobster risks extinction and could always enter our list of animals that will be extinct by 2050. With multiple zoos working diligently to bring these unique insects back from the brink, there is hope for their future.

Characteristics and Behaviors of the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Endangered Tree Lobster)

The Lord Howe Island Stick Insect is an insect from the Phasmatodea order of insects. This order is made up of walking stick bugs, those long, thin, camouflaged bugs you may have seen on television or in person, if you’ve been lucky enough to visit more tropical climates, or have visited a pet store that has them.

Tree Lobsters can grow up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) long and can weigh nearly 1 ounce (25 grams). The young emerge out of their eggs after 6 to 9 months and they end up being three times longer than their eggs.

When the young emerge they are more slender than their adult selves and are a light green.⁹ Once they mature their bodies become more robust and the light green turns to a glossy dark brown.

Young Tree Lobsters will molt multiple times in the span of six months before they turn from their youthful light green to their adult brown-black.⁹ The adult males will eventually have thick back legs whereas the females eventually become larger than the males.

Behaviors of the Endangered Tree Lobster

In general, the Tree Lobster is a docile insect, usually emerging at night to eat and retreat to shrubs during the day when temperatures are high on the volcanic stack. Females can lay up to 300 eggs in their lifespan and typically bury them in the dirt.

Since these are from the order of Phasmatodea they also can reproduce through parthenogenesis, which doesn’t require males.

This is a common ability with walking stick bugs and serves as a failsafe in the circumstances that males aren’t present or are sparse.

(Tree Lobster Image by: Granitethighs¹⁷)

Tree Lobsters will mate at night in sessions that can last up to 20 minutes with a frequency of up to three times in the night.

One peculiar behavior of this insect comes from the males, who wrap their three pairs of legs around the female in an embrace.¹⁰ You may think this behavior comes out of love, but, sadly, scientists have yet to find the purpose of the behavior.

However, since the couples mate for life, it can be an easy assumption to make. As a group these insects will huddle together during the day; they shelter themselves from predators.⁷

How Can You Protect Endangered Species?

Although a daunting task for one individual, helping an endangered species is still within your power. Each and every one of us has a responsibility to help the animals on our planet and in our own backyard.

Donate

In order to help the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect, you can support the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance,¹¹ which is hard at work rejuvenating the species. You can also donate to organizations like the World Wildlife Fund which is focused on helping all endangered species in the world.¹²

But you shouldn’t forget about the animals that are in your own backyard.

Local Endangered Species

Research your area and see what animals may be at risk of extinction. Understand what hazards they encounter and do your best to avoid making your home or yard a danger to those animals.¹³

Maintain Native Species

Many animals feed on native plants, flowers, and other species, and if those species are gone they have no food source to survive.

(Image by: Jonathan Kemper¹⁸)

Planting flora that is native to your area can help rejuvenate other species in your area.

Keep Habitats Clean

Keeping areas where native species live clean and free of trash and hazardous materials ensures that those species aren’t harmed and don’t eat or drink anything that can make them sick and die. Avoid cutting down or destroying these habitats, since without them as homes, many species can die.

Avoid Using Toxic Substances on Your Lawn and Garden

Herbicides and Pesticides can lead to issues with the local water supply and also the surrounding plants.¹⁴ Bugs, including wild bees, can be affected, leading to a chain reaction of devastating proportions.

A proper balance of native species can help ward off certain pests without the introduction of harmful chemicals.

Avoid Introducing Invasive Species

If this particular tale has taught you anything, let it be that invasive species that native species have no defenses against can be the death of that species.

Don’t introduce other species into an ecosystem, or the tale of the endangered Tree Lobster could become true for another animal native to your area.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Endangered Tree Lobster