Phobaeticus chani
Encyclopedia
Phobaeticus chani or Chan's megastick is a species of stick insect. It is the longest insect in the world, with one specimen held in the Natural History Museum
in London
measuring 567 millimetres (22.3 in). This measurement is however with the front legs fully extended. The body still measures an impressive 357 millimetres (14.1 in).
Named after amateur Malaysian naturalist, Datuk Chan Chew Lun, only six specimens are known, all originating from the state of Sabah
in Borneo
. Very little is known about its biology, but there is speculation that it lives in the canopy of the rainforest
, making it especially hard to find.
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.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
measuring 567 millimetres (22.3 in). This measurement is however with the front legs fully extended. The body still measures an impressive 357 millimetres (14.1 in).
Named after amateur Malaysian naturalist, Datuk Chan Chew Lun, only six specimens are known, all originating from the state of Sabah
Sabah
Sabah is one of 13 member states of Malaysia. It is located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. It is the second largest state in the country after Sarawak, which it borders on its southwest. It also shares a border with the province of East Kalimantan of Indonesia in the south...
in Borneo
Borneo
Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located north of Java Island, Indonesia, at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia....
. Very little is known about its biology, but there is speculation that it lives in the canopy of the rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
, making it especially hard to find.
Phobaeticus chani was selected as one of "The Top 10 New Species" described in 2008 by the International Institute for Species Exploration
International Institute for Species Exploration
The International Institute for Species Exploration is a research institute hosted by Arizona State University, dedicated to improving taxonomical exploration and the cataloguing of new species of flora and fauna. It is located in Tempe, Arizona, in the United States of America. The institute's...
at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and an international committee of taxonomists.