[6] E. goliath was first described by English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1834, using two female specimens, one of which came from the collection belonging to British entomologist John Curtis at the Museum of Victoria.

[4] Key distinguishing features between the two species include differences in spines on the hind legs, forewing length and antennal segments.

[4] As a result of this confusion in identification and classification of Australian stick insects, various synonyms have appeared in literature relating to Eurycnema goliath.

[4] The mesonotum also has a bluish-green longitudinal median line running down its entire length[2][4] Tubercles and spines are present on both dorsal and ventral sides of the body, usually accompanied by bluish green colouration.

[4] The operculum structure of females is distinct, extending well beyond the abdomen and tapering to a tip;[4] this forms the 'chute' used for flicking both eggs and frass.

[4] E. goliath, like many phasmids, has adhesive pad structures on its legs which allow it to stick to surfaces, enabling ease of movement throughout the trees it inhabits.

[16] The fatty acid composition of this capitulum is key to attracting ant species to locate and carry the egg,[16][19] with a reduction in dispersal rates seen when the capitula is removed.

[11] The final moult to become an adult E. goliath takes over an hour, with the development of their distinct bright apple-green colouration and wings unfolding to reach their full size.

[1] Despite this, Eurycnema goliath is considered common across its distribution range, and was classified as ‘least concern’ in the IUCN red list, following a 2016 species assessment.

[1] Threats facing Eurycnema goliath are primarily in the form of habitat loss, due to the reliance of the insect on eucalyptus and acacia species for both a food source, and for protection from predators.

[4] Bushfires in this region causes considerable habitat loss, killing individual insects and potentially leading to ecosystem conversion.

[4] Despite the magnitude of this threat, due to the wide distribution range of the E. goliath, the likelihood of bushfires threatening the overall survival of the species is low.

[4] In a form of passive camouflage and plant mimicry, the goliath stick insect has evolved to resemble the leaf, or branch of a tree with its coloration and shape.

[7] In response to being attacked or disturbed, E. goliath will expose the bright red ventral surface of its wings and spreads out its hind legs, then rapidly strikes them together.

[2] The striking of the heavily spined hind legs also serves as an attack strategy to injure both predators and rival females.

[20] Females have been recorded fatally injuring each other through squeezing the rival insect's body in the crook of their heavily spined hind legs.

[2] In captivity, the insect has been recorded eating a wider range of foods, such as leaves from Bramble, Oak, Pyracantha and Hawthorn species.

[22] As they are easy to care for and effectively harmless to humans, the goliath stick insect is commonly kept as an exotic pet and it is particularly popular among children.