We have several stick insect species in the Moggill Creek Catchment living on a variety of trees and shrubs.
Nearly every winter we get a few Pacific Bazas (Crested Hawks), that come down from the higher land West of the Great Divide to feast on the various stick insects.
The Baza is the only hawk that doesn’t cause the local birds to make the usual fuss when they see a bird of prey as they seem to know Bazas only eat the stick insects and never baby birds.
This photo is of a pair of Spiny Leaf Stick Insects mating. The male is much smaller one and has a short lifespan – about 8 months, while the female will live about 18 months – that’s if the Baza doesn’t find her!