<p>A mysterious insect that went viral on TikTok and was dubbed a “creature from hell” has reportedly been identified.</p>.<p>The insect was first seen in a TikTok video and shows a blue-greyish creature which appears to be "half stick insect and half scorpion". It also appears to have wings and a tail.</p>.<p>The <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/cwjJv4aQ9aE?feature=share" target="_blank">video</a> that has since gone viral showed the 'creature' moving its body in a way that was deemed 'aggressive' by users. </p>.<p>As per the video, the insect was spotted in Laverton, Western Australia.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/dancing-with-death-1230799.html" target="_blank">Dancing with death</a></strong></p>.<p>Since it was uploaded, the video has garnered over 10 million views and 20,000 comments with many people stating that they are now “terrified” to come to Australia.</p>.<p>The insect has since been identified, as per a News.com.au <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/terrifying-creature-from-hell-is-identified/news-story/bc99bd0d18634bd38dd42ec8341d6d88" target="_blank">report</a>. </p>.<p>Speaking to the publication, Perth-based entomologist and curator of Entomology at the Western Australian Museum, Nikolai Tatarnic, identified the creature as "a walking stick insect in the family Phasmatidae”.</p>.<p>"We think the insect in the clip is the genus Paronchestus, probably <em>P cornutus</em>, as it closely resembles a specimen in our collection, which was collected from Laverton," he said. </p>.<p>“While most people are aware of their camouflage (ie, looking like a stick), some species also engage in threat or startle displays (also called ‘deimatic behaviour’) to ward off potential predators," he added.</p>.<p>Phasmids are found all across Australia, but because of their amazing camouflage, they mostly go unseen, the expert added.<br /> </p>
<p>A mysterious insect that went viral on TikTok and was dubbed a “creature from hell” has reportedly been identified.</p>.<p>The insect was first seen in a TikTok video and shows a blue-greyish creature which appears to be "half stick insect and half scorpion". It also appears to have wings and a tail.</p>.<p>The <a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/cwjJv4aQ9aE?feature=share" target="_blank">video</a> that has since gone viral showed the 'creature' moving its body in a way that was deemed 'aggressive' by users. </p>.<p>As per the video, the insect was spotted in Laverton, Western Australia.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/dancing-with-death-1230799.html" target="_blank">Dancing with death</a></strong></p>.<p>Since it was uploaded, the video has garnered over 10 million views and 20,000 comments with many people stating that they are now “terrified” to come to Australia.</p>.<p>The insect has since been identified, as per a News.com.au <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/terrifying-creature-from-hell-is-identified/news-story/bc99bd0d18634bd38dd42ec8341d6d88" target="_blank">report</a>. </p>.<p>Speaking to the publication, Perth-based entomologist and curator of Entomology at the Western Australian Museum, Nikolai Tatarnic, identified the creature as "a walking stick insect in the family Phasmatidae”.</p>.<p>"We think the insect in the clip is the genus Paronchestus, probably <em>P cornutus</em>, as it closely resembles a specimen in our collection, which was collected from Laverton," he said. </p>.<p>“While most people are aware of their camouflage (ie, looking like a stick), some species also engage in threat or startle displays (also called ‘deimatic behaviour’) to ward off potential predators," he added.</p>.<p>Phasmids are found all across Australia, but because of their amazing camouflage, they mostly go unseen, the expert added.<br /> </p>