# Giant black tree lobsters the rarest insect in the world **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 15, 2016, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187 "2016-02-15T05:10:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/21 "2016-02-16T07:58:06Z")
As giant insects go, I think they look pretty benign - they’re just big stick insects. I think the Giant Weta (which has a similar survival story) looks a bit more menacing and scary than these guys - as indeed do many of the larger crickets. The term ‘tree lobster’ just makes me hungry. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/22 "2016-02-16T13:16:19Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > No, no, no. Introduce yet another non-native animal. That never goes wrong! There must be some sort of snake, or, hey, even the house cat that would do marvelously at eradicating the rats. 😃 The problem, of course, is that the cats would just LOVE to play with the Tree Lobsters. To death. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/23 "2016-02-16T13:38:17Z")
We used to have a small spaniel who, while a great dog had an odd list of phobias (including but not limited to ceiling fans, balloons and non-human primates). We created a fantasy “Fargo Gaslight Room” to accomodate all of the animals and objects that would’ve driven her into a drooling state of shock. A few Giant Tree Lobsters crawling around will definitely be part of the exhibit. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/24 "2016-02-16T13:52:40Z")
From the article: > [@](#): > > It has been claimed that the males and females snooze together, cuddled up in pairs, with the male wrapping his six legs protectively around the female. But Howorth says assuming that the sleep position connotes affection would be premature. That’s all sweet and dandy, but if we want more baby bugs, we’ve got to get these critters to do less spoonin’ and snoozin’ and more bumpin’ uglies. It’s hard to get aroused when your paramour looks as hideous as these guys, so the scientists need to develop sexy bug makeup, wigs, erection enhancers, bug-booze…what ever it takes to get them doing the ol’ in 'n out. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/25 "2016-02-16T14:12:18Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > The problem, of course, is that the cats would just LOVE to play with the Tree Lobsters. To death. As with the sad tale of the Stephens Island Wren. > **[Lyall's wren](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephens_Island_wren)** > > Lyall's wren or the Stephens Island wren (Traversia lyalli) was a small, flightless passerine belonging to the family Acanthisittidae, the New Zealand wrens. Now extinct, it was once found throughout New Zealand, but when it came to the attention of scientists in 1894, its last refuge was Stephens Island in Cook Strait. Often claimed to be a species driven extinct by a single creature (a lighthouse keeper's cat named Tibbles), the wren in fact fell victim to the island's numerous feral cats.... ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/26 "2016-02-16T14:56:56Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I am unable to find an image of her to [prove](http://www.insectnet.com/photos/events0304/e_03bio14.htm) [you](http://www.sandiegoreader.com/photos/2016/jan/18/90178/#) [wrong](http://zoonooz.sandiegozoo.org/2016/02/03/very-infrequent-fliers/). She’s pretty darn yummy! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/27 "2016-02-16T15:51:35Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > As with the sad tale of the Stephens Island Wren. > > [Lyall's wren - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephens_Island_wren) Thank you for this link. Cats are the worst, and I don’t think people realize how much havoc they can wreak on an ecosystem. ☹ The bugs are kind of cute, though. I’m glad to hear they are making a comeback. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/28 "2016-02-16T16:08:32Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > Dear Og - why? The skin on my back is still crawling to get away from that image. > > I was at least hoping for something edible… Yes, I’m sure they’re technically edible, but where are the claws!? I need tree lobsters with claws! On that case what you are looking for is [coconut crabs](http://www.wired.com/2013/12/absurd-creature-of-the-week-2/). ---
**Author:** ![Pazu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pazu/32/15522_2.png) [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/29 "2016-02-16T16:41:54Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Thank you for this link. Cats are the worst, and I don’t think people realize how much havoc they can wreak on an ecosystem. ☹ > > The bugs are kind of cute, though. I’m glad to hear they are making a comeback. There’s a wonderful animated short film about the near-extinction and rediscovery of the Lord Howe Island phasmid _Dryococelus australis_: [Sticky](https://vimeo.com/76647062). ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/30 "2016-02-16T17:25:18Z")
I’m all for biodiversity and everything, but somebody should have fucking nuked that island and all those god damn horror crickets with it ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/31 "2016-02-16T17:56:54Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Thank you for this link. Cats are the worst, and I don’t think people realize how much havoc they can wreak on an ecosystem. ☹ > > The bugs are kind of cute, though. I’m glad to hear they are making a comeback. I’m fond of cats – but my word, they are for sure, dreadful killing-machines. Rats are IMO quite likeable in their way, but the same goes for them, squared-and-cubed. (Stolzenburg, who hates rats with the white-hot heat of a thousand suns for the ecological harm they do, gives in his book “a salute to them across the gulf of war” – recognising that they’re brave, clever, and highly-enduring.) ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/32 "2016-02-17T03:24:18Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > She’s pretty darn yummy! It’s all fun and games until she meets you for dinner and plops a purse full of bugs on the table. “Oh, I have to do some work at home tonight.” ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/33 "2016-02-17T04:14:44Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > {…} I was at least hoping for something edible… Yes, I’m sure they’re technically edible, but where are the claws!? I need tree lobsters with claws! More of a tree shrimp really. ☹ > [@Green\_Bean](#): > > It’s all fun and games until she meets you for dinner and plops a purse full of bugs on the table. “Oh, I have to do some work at home tonight.” It’s all fun and games until she takes you home after dinner and shows you her ovipositor\*! :eek: \*A word, that if it had been in Firefox’s spellcheck, wouldn’t have led me to this, [ovipositor sex toys](https://www.primalhardwere.com/category/ovipositors) (do I have to say NSFW?) CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/34 "2016-02-17T04:18:41Z")
Sweet fancy Moses. I swear I would barricade myself indoors until the ungodly things went back to whence they came. Good grief. . . ---
**Author:** ![mage-girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@mage-girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mage-girl)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/35 "2016-02-17T05:26:49Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Yes, but which are better when boiled & served with drawn butter…? 😛 Gyuuuh! (No appropriate emoticon available) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/36 "2016-02-17T06:51:10Z")
Creepy. It looks like a piece of shit, come to life with six legs and a nasty set of pinchers. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/37 "2016-02-17T07:26:25Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > A word, that if it had been in Firefox’s spellcheck, wouldn’t have led me to this, [ovipositor sex toys](https://www.primalhardwere.com/category/ovipositors) Do yourself a favor and don’t do a search for my little pony sex toys. I think the bugs are cool, welcome back. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187/38 "2016-02-17T20:50:06Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > It’s all fun and games until she meets you for dinner and plops a purse full of bugs on the table. “Oh, I have to do some work at home tonight.” Hmmm… I guess that would be a bit off-putting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-black-tree-lobsters-the-rarest-insect-in-the-world/746187.md?page=1)