Wētā are incredible insects that were around in the time of dinosaurs!! The Wētā has since evolved into several species that live all over the little island nation of New Zealand. They have become an national symbol of invertebrate conservation for New Zealand. There are over 100 species, of which 16 are endangered. The species of Wētā are classified into five main groups.
General Facts
Description
Wētā are large, brown insects that look like a grasshopper but with larger hind legs that are usually spiny.
Diet
Wētā are mostly carnivores or omnivores, praying on other invertebrates. The only exceptions to this are the Tree Wētā and the Giant Wētā, who are mainly herbivores, although they will eat insects if they need to.
Threats
The Wētā's main threats are predation from animals like rats, mustelids, cats and hedgehogs, habitat destruction by humans and their habitat being modified by browsers like deer.
Wētā Groups
Tusked Wētā
Male Tusked Wētā have long, curved tusks. There are three different species of Tusked Wētā. One of the species, the Raukumara Tusked Wētā, is well known for it's ability to hide underwater in streams, for up to three minutes.
Giant Wētā
The Giant Wētā is the largest weta group, growing up to 100mm. There are 11 different species.
Tree Wētā
Tree Wētā can grow up to 40mm. They are common in suburban places in the North Island of New Zealand. They are nocturnal, live in trees (as their name suggests) and eat plants and small insects. there are seven different species of Tree Wētā.
Ground Wētā
Ground Wētā hide in burrows during the day and come out at night too feast on fruit. There are about 30 different species of Ground Wētā.
Cave Wētā
Contrary to what their name states, most Cave Wētā actually live in leaf litter, logs or other outdoor crannies. Only a few live in caves. Cave Wētā are recognisable by their extra long antennae and slender legs. Cave Wētā have no hearing organs, instead they are sensitive to ground vibrations through pads on their feet. They also have specialised hair on their body which is sensitive to low frequency vibrations.
References
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wētā
Stuff - https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/slider/6268129/Not-menace-some-fear
NZ Geographic - https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-demon-grasshoppers/
Mental Floss - https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/64804/10-intense-facts-about-giant-weta
DOC - https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/invertebrates/weta/
Science Mag - https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/06/saving-god-ugly-things-new-zealand-battles-bring-back-its-rodent-sized-insects
Te Ara Encyclopedia - https://teara.govt.nz/en/weta
Friends of Hunua Ranges - http://www.friendsofhunuaranges.co.nz/weta_hotels.php?ln=Threats-to-our-Weta&LID=2045313238
General Facts
Description
Wētā are large, brown insects that look like a grasshopper but with larger hind legs that are usually spiny.
Diet
Wētā are mostly carnivores or omnivores, praying on other invertebrates. The only exceptions to this are the Tree Wētā and the Giant Wētā, who are mainly herbivores, although they will eat insects if they need to.
Threats
The Wētā's main threats are predation from animals like rats, mustelids, cats and hedgehogs, habitat destruction by humans and their habitat being modified by browsers like deer.
Wētā Groups
Tusked Wētā
Male Tusked Wētā have long, curved tusks. There are three different species of Tusked Wētā. One of the species, the Raukumara Tusked Wētā, is well known for it's ability to hide underwater in streams, for up to three minutes.
Giant Wētā
The Giant Wētā is the largest weta group, growing up to 100mm. There are 11 different species.
Tree Wētā
Tree Wētā can grow up to 40mm. They are common in suburban places in the North Island of New Zealand. They are nocturnal, live in trees (as their name suggests) and eat plants and small insects. there are seven different species of Tree Wētā.
Ground Wētā
Ground Wētā hide in burrows during the day and come out at night too feast on fruit. There are about 30 different species of Ground Wētā.
Cave Wētā
Contrary to what their name states, most Cave Wētā actually live in leaf litter, logs or other outdoor crannies. Only a few live in caves. Cave Wētā are recognisable by their extra long antennae and slender legs. Cave Wētā have no hearing organs, instead they are sensitive to ground vibrations through pads on their feet. They also have specialised hair on their body which is sensitive to low frequency vibrations.
References
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wētā
Stuff - https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/slider/6268129/Not-menace-some-fear
NZ Geographic - https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/the-demon-grasshoppers/
Mental Floss - https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/64804/10-intense-facts-about-giant-weta
DOC - https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/invertebrates/weta/
Science Mag - https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/06/saving-god-ugly-things-new-zealand-battles-bring-back-its-rodent-sized-insects
Te Ara Encyclopedia - https://teara.govt.nz/en/weta
Friends of Hunua Ranges - http://www.friendsofhunuaranges.co.nz/weta_hotels.php?ln=Threats-to-our-Weta&LID=2045313238