Chan's megastick

Chan's megastick (Phobaeticus chani) is a species of stick insect. It is the longest insect in the world. One specimen in the London Natural History Museum  measures . This is with the front legs fully extended. The body is  long.

Named after amateur Malaysian naturalist, Datuk Chan Chew Lun, only six specimens are known, all from the state of Sabah in Borneo. Very little is known about its biology, but it may live in the canopy of the rainforest, making it especially hard to find. However, there is no evidence, and the related Phobaeticus kirbyi is found on low growing vegetation alongside rainforest paths.

Phobaeticus chani was selected as one of "The Top 10 New Species" described in 2008 by the International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University and an international committee of taxonomists.  The species was also listed as one of the top ten discoveries of the decade in a BBC television documentary (broadcast in either 2010 or 2011).BBC Nature wildlife: Chan's megastick.  

References

Other websites
 Phasmid Study Group: Phobaeticus chani
 Image of insect

Category:Phasmids