Wetas: The World's Coolest Bugs

Yesterday, while walking back from the Saturday Fruit and Veg Market, Ross and I stumbled across a Tree Weta on the sidewalk.  What makes this even better was the fact that it was alive!  We have seen Wetas before on Matiu/Somes Island and in Zealandia, but those are both predator-free nature reserves.  This was the first weta that we have seen just hanging out in Wellington, that hadn't been squished (we've come across a few of those...).  It was missing one leg and part of an antenna but seemed to be in decent health otherwise.

Tree Wetas are the most common type of wetas to be found in the Wellington area.  They have recently reintroduced Cook Strait Giant Wetas to Zealandia, but there isn't a large enough population to see them around Wellington proper.  We saw some out on Matiu/Somes island at the end of July though.

Cook Strait Giant Weta on Matiu/Somes Island

One of the conservation methods that we have seen in the nature reserves are "Weta Hotels."  These are wooden structures or logs that have been shaped to provide the wetas with someplace to hide during the day.  Often the weta hotels can be opened so that the public can peek inside to see the wetas.

Cook Strait Giant Weta in Weta Hotel on Matui/Somes Island

Tree Wetas in Weta Hotel in Zealandia (finger for scale).

Wetas are endemic to New Zealand and of the more than 70 species, 16 are endangered.  Wetas are  mainly herbivores  but are also known to eat insects.  They are nocturnal and have adapted to live just about everywhere in New Zealand.  Prior to humans arriving, the only native mammal in New Zealand was a species of bat.  Once people introduced mice, rats, weasels, hedgehogs, etc., wetas were easy prey.  Currently most of the giant species now only survive on protected land or offshore islands and most are endangered.  

Weta Punga from Little Barrier Island.  This is the largest of the giant weta species.
Image from Auckland Zoo.

If you are interested, the following DOC site has a lot of really good information on wetas, including the potential for recovery and what the DOC is doing to help (http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/invertebrates/weta/).

I found this at Weta Cave.