AND THE ANSWER IS.....

PRAYING MANTIS!

A LARGE BROWN MANTIS!

Here is the email we got from Mr Chew at

BrisbaneInsects.com

Hi, 1M class,

Thank you very much for the email. The insect in your photo was a Praying Mantis, and it was a Large Brown Mantis. More information can be found in my web page;
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_hoppers/BrownMantids.htm

One good way to tell if it is a Praying Mantis or Stick Insect is to look at its front pair of legs. All Praying Mantis have strong and spiny front legs. In your photo we can see the insect's pair of front legs are much thicker than its other legs. If you check carefully you may also see the spines.

The Praying Mantis is a predator which captures and feeds on other small insects. It uses its pair of strong spiny front legs to attack. A Stick Insect feeds on leaves and does not attack other insects. It does not need the front legs as a weapon.

Regards
Peter Chew
www.BrisbaneInsects.com

WERE YOU AN 'ACE' INVESTIGATOR?

DID YOU IDENTIFY OUR 'VISITOR' CORRECTLY?

MR CHEW FOR IDENTIFYING OUR 'VISITOR' AND TEACHING US ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STICK INSECTS AND PRAYING MANTIDS.

NOW WE ARE EXPERTS TOO! :D