Rare ‘Tree Lobsters’ Beat Back Extinction

January 16, 2024

In an extraordinary survival story, the Lord Howe Island stick insect has defied extinction after its rediscovery in 2001 on a rocky volcanic outcrop called Ball’s Pyramid. With only 20-30 left in the wild, zoos like San Diego now showcase these resilient Australian bugs.

Precarious Existence on Inhospitable Volcanic Spire

The stick insects cling to survival on the near-vertical Ball’s Pyramid amid threats like storms, landslides and limited food. Their sole host plant faces vine competition, adding to the challenges.

Ball’s Pyramid provides a highly restrictive habitat. But it was the last refuge stopping the extinction of this species when invasive predators destroyed its main island population.

Zoos Lead Urgent Breeding Efforts

Recognizing their ecological importance, several zoos globally including San Diego collaborated to rescue the insects from the brink through captive breeding programs after their astonoshing rediscovery.

Public exhibits aim to highlight the significance of lesser known species like invertebrates to ecosystem stability.

Driven Locally Extinct by Invasive Predators

Earlier found abundantly on Lord Howe Island, the stick insect faced annihilation after rats invaded and decimated them by 1918. With no sightings since 1920s, the species was declared extinct in 1986.

Invasive introductions of rats, mice and other mammals have caused numerous island extinctions worldwide, underscoring conservation challenges.

Signs of Hope Lead to Rediscovery

Despite extinction, odd reports of insect remains on Ball’s Pyramid offered a glimmer of hope. A 2003 expedition conclusively proved their survival by extracting a few survivors to launch emergency captive breeding.

« Previous Post Next Post »