Question New discovery of rare Lord Howe Island stick insect colonies

Article Title: New discovery of rare Lord Howe Island stick insect colonies
Date Published: 13th of March, 2026
Published by: ABC News
Author:   Claire Simmonds  and  Emma Siossian

From the Article:
'There is renewed hope for the survival of an insect once thought extinct, after two healthy colonies were found on a rock outcrop of Lord Howe Island.'

'The sheer rock islet was formed more than 6 million years ago by volcanic activity, and at 572 metres it is the tallest volcanic stack in the world. The challenging geography makes visits difficult but during a short, opportunistic survey by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), weed officers discovered insects at two new locations.'"This species is very cryptic and hard to detect as they have an incredible ability to hide and camouflage themselves," threatened species officer Craig Stehn said.

'The officers found a total of nine adult insects. Seven were captured for breeding purposes. The latest discovery of the insect, scientifically known as Dryococelus australis, marks 25 years since the insect was first rediscovered on Ball's Pyramid. The insects were once so common, they were used as bait by early settlers on Lord Howe until black rats colonised the island after a shipwreck in 1918. After 15 years of rodent predation, the stick insect was believed extinct before it was rediscovered in 2001 on the remote outcrop.'

'Estimates of the insect in the wild are difficult due to its remote habitat, however NSW Environment and Heritage lists its population as "fewer than 50 mature individuals in the wild".''Seven of the newest insects to be detected have since been taken more than 1,000 kilometres away to Melbourne Zoo.For the past 23 years, Melbourne Zoo has run the Lord Howe Island stick insect breeding program, supported by San Diego Zoo, Bristol Zoo, Toronto Zoo and now, Prague Zoo in the Czech Republic.''Since the Melbourne University program began with two insects in 2003, it has has bred 19 generations with genetic diversity limited to five wild-captured phasmids.''Now, the Melbourne Zoo population varies seasonally between 700 and 800 live insects.'

'Authorities have begun surveying Lord Howe Island residents about plans to reintroduce the insect.''Lord Howe Island Board chief executive Suzie Christensen said surveys were important, as "the insect hasn't been seen here in anyone's living memory".

"Based on the scientific advice, the first place they would be brought back to would be in the remote areas of the permanent park preserve, up in the mountains and that should give them the best chance of success," Ms Christensen said.

When Lord Howe Island became the largest inhabited island in the world to successfully eradicate rats in 2023, it opened the way to the species' reintroduction to the island."A lot of the land snails and invertebrate species have really rebounded, seabirds are in huge numbers now, so it's a real sort of renaissance of the biodiversity on the island," Mr Stehn said.'

Full article here: www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-15/lord-howe-island-stick-insect-discovery-balls-pyramid/106381564