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The mating systems observed in giant wētā species like the Scree Wētā (Deinacrida connectens) and Cook Strait giant wētā (Deinacrida rugosa) likely led to the development of sexual dimorphism. where males develop lighter, more slender bodies and longer legs allows them to cover distance more efficiently has developed.
Wētā is a loanword, from the Māori-language word wētā, which refers to this whole group of large insects; some types of wētā have a specific Māori name. [2] In New Zealand English, it is spelled either "weta" or "wētā", although the form with macrons is increasingly common in formal writing, as the Māori word weta (without macrons) instead means "filth or excrement". [3]
As saddlebacks prey on the wētā during the day, D. heteracantha are thus under constant predation pressure. [16] There is evidence suggesting that these rats have a negative impact on the population of these wētā, as is commonly the case with invasive rodents. [17] The removal of the kiore in 2004 was a success. The population size grew ...
The Cook Strait giant wētā is found only in New Zealand, on the islands of the North, South and Middle Trio, Stephens, Maud, Matiu/Somes and Mana. [4] [5] In 2007, this species was reintroduced to mainland New Zealand, where it had been extinct for over 100 years, and is now found in Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary in the North Island. [6]
An adult Poor Knights giant wētā (Deinacrida fallai) from Aorangi Island, Poor Knights Island group, Northland, New Zealand. Deinacrida fallai was only described as a new species in 1950. [ 2 ] It is the second largest wētā species in the world, [ 2 ] with females weighing up to 40g and measuring up to 73mm (2.87 inches) in length. [ 5 ]
Sex determination of most wētā species is by the number of large metacentric X-chromosomes; females have two X-chromosomes (XX) and males have one (X0). [23] The scree wētā is diploid with an even number of chromosomes in females, and an odd number in males, but populations within this species have different numbers of chromosomes. [4]
Sculpture of a Mahoenui giant wētā (Deinacrida mahoenui) on the main street of Te Kūiti, New Zealand. Female Mahoenui giant wētā lay 200–400 eggs in autumn, burying them about 25 mm deep into the soil with their ovipositor. The eggs are about 7 mm long, and take 10 months to hatch, with the 8 mm nymphs emerging in March or April.
As one of the smallest known species of giant wētā, Deinacrida tibiospina grows to only around 30-40mm long, and weigh just 7 grams. [1] [2] [4] Like many other giant wētā, such as Deinacrida rugosa, the overlapping armoured plates on their back are wrinkled. [5] Adults of the species can be varying shades of brown, sometimes with a reddish ...