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At 22.3 Inches, Insect Is World's Longest

Just-discovered Phobaeticus chani roams the Borneo jungle, looking twiggy

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 17, 2008 12:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – A stick insect called Phobaeticus chani has claimed the distinction of world's longest insect, beating out its nearest competitor by an inch, the Independent reports. Named after the amateur naturalist who brought it to scientists' attention, the bug measures 22.3 inches with its legs outstretched. A treetop rainforest dweller, its tiny winged eggs glide from branch to branch.

A giant stick insect named Phobaeticus chani, meaning Chan's megastick is seen. Britain's Natural History Museum says a Malaysian amateur naturalist has discovered the world's longest insect.
A giant stick insect named Phobaeticus chani, meaning "Chan's megastick" is seen. Britain's Natural History Museum says a Malaysian amateur naturalist has discovered the world's longest insect.   (AP Photo)
Phobaeticus chani is a more than 22-inch long megastick. The museum says the oversized walking stick bug was discovered by Datuk Chan Chew Lun on the Malaysian island of Borneo.
Phobaeticus chani is a more than 22-inch long "megastick." The museum says the oversized walking stick bug was discovered by Datuk Chan Chew Lun on the Malaysian island of Borneo.   (AP Photo)
Logging company workers put marks on a tree in a rainforest in eastern Malaysia, thought to house many yet-undiscovered species.
Logging company workers put marks on a tree in a rainforest in eastern Malaysia, thought to house many yet-undiscovered species.   (AP Photo)
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