Other common names for the Australian walkingstick include the giant spiny and Meckay's Specter walkingstick. Australian walkingsticks are found in northern Australia and New Guinea. These walkingsticks have elongated, oval-shaped heads covered with spines. They also have long antennae and chewing mouthparts for eating plant matter. Females are light tan in coloration with long, thick bodies, and have a pair of non-functional wings.
Males are dark brown in color and have a full set of functional wings.
A male's forewings are dark in color, but the inside wings are often brightly colored and can be used as a warning to predators. When the wings are rapidly opened, the flash of color may startle a predator long enough for the male walkingstick to escape. There is no courtship between male and female Australian walkingsticks. The male is attracted by the female's scent. Once a female is located, he crawls onto her back, bends his abdomen around and mates with her.