Scientists Successfully Breed First Tree Lobster at San Diego Zoo

First in the United States, too

The San Diego Zoo says that researchers have bred the first tree lobster (Dryococelus australis), one of the rarest insects on Earth.

It’s also called the Lord Howe Island stick insect, which was once thought to be extinct. According to OutdoorHub.com, there are now more than 1,000 adults being kept in captivity to prevent them from going extinct.

Lord Howe Island (Google Maps)

Ball's Pyramid (Wikipedia user Fanny Schertzer)

When they were again discovered 15 years ago, “it was a massive, massive P.R. event for insects,” Howorth added.

Last month, Howorth flew to Melbourne to bring the insects back to San Diego.

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