Genus Extatosoma
Identification Key

Key to adult females of Extatosoma
(Taken from Brock, 2002)
1. Lateral expansions of abdominal segments 5-7 large and often overlapping. Segments 2-4 and 8-10 usually without lateral expansions. Generally green or brown; not mottled. Dorsal expansions of mid and hind femora broad, usually not arcuate (leaf mimicking insects) 2
- Lateral expansions of abdominal segments 5-7 small, non-overlapping. Segments 2-4 and 8-10 usually bearing lateral expansions. Body color green or brown, heavily white and black mottled. Dorsal expansions of mid and hind femora usually arcuate (lichen mimics) 3
2. A conspicuous V-shaped pale mark nearly always present on mesonotum; metanotum and first abdominal segment each with a pair of erect, well developed lamellae. Dorsal lamellae of abdominal segments 5-6 each occupying about one-third length of segment, the base of each scarcely wider than apex and not extending in front of middle of segment; a compound lamellate spine on mesonotum between bases of tegmina. Body color pale to dark brown. Body length 11 6-150 mm. Distribution: Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea popa popa
- No V-shaped pale mark on mesonotum (or very faint); median lamellae of metanotum and first abdominal segment absent or weakly developed; spines separate or weakly confluent basally. Dorsal lamellae of abdominal segments 5-6 extending in front of middle of segment; the base of each lamella wider than apex; individual spines at base of mesonotum. Body color green or brown (rarely yellow). Body length 100-160 mm. Distribution in Australia: New South Wales, southeast and north Queensland tiaratum tiaratum
3. A conspicuous V-shaped pale mark nearly always present on mesonotum; metanotum and first abdominal segment each with a pair of erect, well developed lamellae. Dorsal lamellae of abdominal segments 5-6 each occupying about one-third length of segment, the base of each scarcely wider than apex and not extending in front of middle of segment; a compound lamellate spine on mesonotum between bases of tegmina. Body length 116- 165 mm. Distribution: Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea popa carlbergi
- No V-shaped pale mark on mesonotum (or very faint); median lamellae of metanotum and first abdominal segment absent or weakly developed; spines separate or weakly confluent basally. Dorsal lamellae of abdominal segments 5-6 extending in front of middle of segment; the base of each lamella wider than the apex; individual spines at base of mesonotum. Body length 120-130 mm. Distribution in Australia: New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, southeast and north Queensland tiaratum bufonium
 
Key to adult males of Extatosoma
(Taken from Brock, 2002)
1. Hindwings plain, with only outer margin dark. White V-shaped mark on mesonotum. Body length 82-91 mm popa
- Hindwings chequered; dark brown/blackish with whitish bands. No white V-shaped mark on mesonotum. 2
2. Body length 81-115 mm. Distribution: New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, southeast and north Queensland tiaratum
Note: males of lichen mimics do not differ from normal leaf mimics.
 
Key to eggs of Extatosoma
(Taken from Brock, 2002)
1. Micropylar plate with conspicuous lateral arm either side of the micropylar cup area. Capsule length 5.06-5.31 mm, height 4.42-4.5 6 mm, width 3.71 -3.84 mm popa
- Micropylar plate lacking conspicuous lateral arm either side of the micropylar cup area. Capsule length 4.5 mm or less 2
2. Capsule slightly glossy; with brown-pointed capitulum. Micropylar plate reaching operculum rim, where it is expanded. Capsule length 3.3-4.2 mm, height 3.5 mm, width 2.9-3.2 mm. Distribution in Australia: New South Wales, southeast Queensland tiaratum
- Capsule on average larger, glossy; with broad, whitish capitulum. Micropylar plate reaching operculum rim, where it is slightly expanded. Capsule length 3.7-4.5 mm, height 3.5-4.2 mm, width 2.8-3.1 mm. Distribution: in Australia: north Queensland tiaratum
 
Key to the species of Extatosoma (females)
(Taken from Gurney, 1947)
1. Fifth, sixth and seventh terga bearing lateral expansions which overlap when seen in dorsal view (fig. 1). 2
- Fifth, sixth and seventh terga bearing much smaller, non-overlapping expansions (fig. 4) tiaratum bufonium
2. A conspicuous V-shaped pale mark on mesonotum (fig. 1); metanotum and first tergum each with a pair of erect, well-developed lamellae (fig. 2); dorsal lamellae of fifth and sixth terga each occupying about one-third the length of segment, the base of each scarcely wider than apex and not extending in front of middle of segment; a compound lamellate spine on mesonotum between bases of tegmina. popa
- No V-shaped pale mark on mesonotum; median lamellae of metanotum and first tergum absent or weakly developed, spines occurring there either separate or weakly confluent basally; dorsal lamellae of fifth and sixth terga extending in front of middle of segment, the base of each lamella wider than the apex (fig. 3); spines at base of mesonotum individual. tiaratum tiaratum
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