Australia is home to some of the world’s most fascinating and unusual insects and spiders. From creatures that glow in the dark to those with alien-like features, the country’s biodiversity offers incredible opportunities for discovery. Whether you’re a parent hoping to inspire curiosity or a teacher planning an engaging science lesson, exploring these extraordinary creatures will spark excitement and wonder in young learners.
1. Giant Burrowing Cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros)
The Giant Burrowing Cockroach is the world’s heaviest cockroach and can live up to 10 years.
Where to Find Them: Found in Queensland, they burrow in sandy soils.
How to Identify Them: Large, wingless, and dark brown, these cockroaches can grow up to 8 cm long and weigh over 30 grams.
Fun Fact: Unlike most cockroaches, they don’t infest homes. They are clean, gentle, and even kept as pets!
2. Spiny Leaf Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)
This master of camouflage looks just like a twig or a spiky leaf.
Where to Find Them: Found in eucalyptus forests along the east coast.
How to Identify Them: Brown or green, with thorn-like protrusions along their bodies.
Fun Fact: When threatened, they sway like a leaf in the wind to blend in with their surroundings.
3. Peacock Spider (Maratus volans)
Peacock Spiders are tiny, jumping spiders known for their vibrant colors and courtship dances.
Where to Find Them: Found in woodlands and coastal regions of Australia.
How to Identify Them: Males have brightly colored, iridescent abdomens, while females are brown and less flashy.
Fun Fact: Males perform elaborate dances to impress females, raising their legs and flashing their colors like a tiny peacock.
4. Assassin Bug (Pristhesancus plagipennis)
This fierce predator uses its sharp mouthparts to inject venom into prey.
Where to Find Them: Common in gardens and woodlands across Australia.
How to Identify Them: Slender body, long legs, and a sharp, curved beak used for hunting.
Fun Fact: Some species disguise themselves with dead ants to avoid predators.
5. Australian Funnel-Web Spider (Atrax robustus)
One of the most infamous spiders in Australia, the Funnel-Web is known for its potent venom.
Where to Find Them: Found in moist, shaded areas such as under logs and rocks.
How to Identify Them: Glossy black bodies with powerful fangs.
Fun Fact: Despite their fearsome reputation, an antivenom has made Funnel-Web bites treatable, with no recorded fatalities since its introduction.
6. Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa sp.)
This unusual insect looks like a mix between a cricket and a mole.
Where to Find Them: Burrow underground in damp soil.
How to Identify Them: Large, cylindrical bodies with powerful, spade-like forelegs for digging.
Fun Fact: Their underground chirping sounds like a distant frog.
7. Botany Bay Weevil (Chrysolopus spectabilis)
One of Australia’s most iconic beetles, this striking insect is a symbol of scientific discovery.
Where to Find Them: Found on acacia trees in southeastern Australia.
How to Identify Them: Metallic green and black patterned bodies.
Fun Fact: The first insect collected by European explorers in Australia.
Encouraging Hands-On Learning
Discovering these unique creatures in the wild is an exciting way to engage children with nature. We offer a range of affordable equipment for young learners, including our insect investigator kit and insect collecting and mounting starter’s kit.
Here are some fun activities to get your children or students started:
- Bug Journals: Have kids document their findings with drawings and observations.
- DIY Camouflage Experiment: Use different backgrounds to see how insects blend into their environments.
- Spider Web Mapping: Look for different types of webs and note their patterns.
By exploring these strange and wonderful insects and spiders, children will develop a deeper appreciation for Australia’s biodiversity and the important role these creatures play in our ecosystem. So, grab a magnifying glass, head outdoors, and start an adventure in your own backyard!