Overview

• The new species, Acrophylla alta, was formally described in Zootaxa on July 30 after detailed morphological and egg analyses confirmed its uniqueness.
• Field teams have collected two adult female specimens now deposited at the Queensland Museum following mid-2025 expeditions to the Atherton Tablelands.
• Acrophylla alta measures nearly 40 centimeters in length and weighs 44 grams, making it the heaviest insect recorded in Australia to date.
• Restricted to high-altitude rainforest canopies in Far North Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, its habitat has so far thwarted efforts to locate a male.
• Viral videos and international media coverage on August 2 have amplified public fascination and highlighted the need for further invertebrate biodiversity surveys.