CSIRO Science Image

The Cooloola Monster – Cooloola propator is an unusual, primitive, cricket-like insect of the order Orthoptera, discovered in Cooloola National Park, Queensland circa 1980.

The genus was considered distinct enough to be placed in its own family, the Cooloolidae. The Cooloola Monster lives almost entirely underground and is believed to feed on other soil-dwelling invertebrates. Three other species of Cooloola have since been described.

Photographer : E. Zillmann

Libraries and tags

• Entomology Insects