Yes, I know its a bold statement, but it must be true. This must be the biggest insect ever: its certainly the biggest I’ve ever seen. “The Bulldozer” had been guarding it and minding it all morning for me, so it would still be there for me to see when I came home. He told me there was something waiting outside for me to see, and would tell me nothing else, but assured me ‘I’d know it when I saw it’, and even though it blends so well into the colours and textures of the bricks, I certainly did. Surely it would look like any other twig on a tree – nature is just amazing.
And, it was on the wall, just outside our front door. Where it came from, and where it went to, nobody knows. But I’m glad it decided to spend the day with us.
My photos don’t do it justice.
I got out my trusty ruler and worked out that it must easily have been 40cm, that’s unbelievable, and all part of the fun of living in the bush. Right now I can see my neighbour’s horse waiting by their gate, hoping for a pat and a carrot, so I best be off.



11 comments
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May, 1 2008 at 9:03 pm
Gamma Goblin
This is the Austrialia you don’t see in Home And Away. You should have put the ruler beside it and taken a picture.
May, 1 2008 at 11:27 pm
Jay
Wow! Looks like a giant stick insect. How amazing! I love it – thanks for posting!
I take it The Bulldozer is your dog?
BTW, what’s 40cm in real measurement? *Runs off to convert*
May, 1 2008 at 11:29 pm
Jay
Sorry – could you please fix my link – supposed to read http://www.thedeppeffect.com.
Thanks!
May, 2 2008 at 1:07 am
English Mum
Bejaybers!!! Is that like a ‘genetically engineered’ version of those little stick insect things we used to keep in jars? Blimey girl, there’s something in your water!! x
May, 2 2008 at 9:35 am
Bettythesheep
Eek – giant insect!
May, 2 2008 at 8:49 pm
coastalaussie
Thank you everybody, thank you, thank you. You’re all such treasures, for coming along and commenting. I’m just beside myself with happiness, knowing I could share this Jurassic Park creature with you all.
Please let me know if anything comes to mind, that you’d liked to see from my garden and neighbourhood.
Excellent suggestion Gamma, I wish I’d thought of it at the time. I was all flustered though and frustrated as the insect blended so well into the wall that I was having trouble getting a good picture of it. We took a couple with our hands next it, a paintbrush, and a jar ! Ha ha, as they were all close to hand. Thanks for your comment, great to see you here.
Jay, you really made me laugh ! I can see why you’re such a good friend of English Mum’s. ‘The Bulldozer’ is a man. He’s earned that nickname from coming along when I’m digging in the garden and accomplishing (my) 2 weeks worth of work in 5 or 10 minutes. He’s our own human bulldozer. I will put up a photo now, especially for you, of my dog Taj.
And, I’m not good at these things, but think 40cm is 15.7inches.
English Mum, yes bejaybers is right ! Isn’t it amazing. “The Bulldozer” had offered to pick it up for me, and gently expand one of it’s wings for me to photograph, and I said no, because I didn’t want to stress it and maybe make it die… but now I really wish I’d agreed, as that would have looked even more freaky and out of this world.
Exactly Betty ! As I was just saying to Gamma Goblin, I wasn’t thinking too well, as the giant insect was making me feel all wobbly inside.
Thanks as always, for your comments.
May, 2 2008 at 9:06 pm
English Mum
Hee hee that made me laugh. Does the Bulldozer wag his tail :0)
It had wings too? Holy crap, and I thought I had trouble with the midges!! x
May, 2 2008 at 9:12 pm
coastalaussie
Ha ha, I’m sure he would if asked nicely, English Mum.
Wings, yeah, I know. I’m kicking myself now, they would’ve been like big concertina dragonfly wings, cool hey?
.
May, 2 2008 at 10:57 pm
Jay
LOL! Your husband! Sorry husband of Coastal Aussie!
So many people refer to their dogs by pseudonyms too … that’s my excuse – and there WAS dog in the picture.
Fifteen inches! Wow! I want one!!
May, 3 2008 at 7:13 pm
coastalaussie
Jay, you’ve cracked me up again. “The Bulldozer” is related to me, but by blood not marriage, as he is my brother. I told him of your comment though, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.
May, 7 2008 at 10:23 pm
Its no place for an arachnophobe « Coastal Aussie
[...] you have these where you live? He’s not as impressive as the Jurassic park insect I posted about a few days ago, but I wasn’t ready for this big fella and we both jumped an [...]