Onchestus rentzi is an Australian species of stick insect, commonly named the crowned stick insect, described in 2006. Brock & Hasenpusch, 2006. "Studies on the Australian stick-insect genus Onchestus Stål (Phasmida: Phasmatidae)" Journal of Orthoptera Research It lives in rainforests along the coast of Queensland and the Northern Territory. It is named after the Australian orthopterist David Rentz.
Identification Crowned stick insects are dark black-grey and use camouflage to blend in with the surroundings. Adults can reach lengths of 120mm and have a protuberance of the cuticle of the head which resembles a crown in both sexes. The wings of this species are a deep purple in colour.
Gallery
See also List of Australian stick insects and mantids
References
External links Phasmid Study Group: Onchestus rentzi Phasmida SpeciesFile: Onchestus rentzi