Living With Wetas

Wetas are insects that are native to New Zealand. They are relatives of crickets and katydids. Wetas evolved on the isolated islands of New Zealand in the absence of mammal competitors or predators with the exception of bats. There are over 70 species of weta each occupying a different niche. There are 11 species of giant weta in the genus, Deinacrida. Giant wetas occupy a niche in New Zealand that is similar to that occupied by mice elsewhere. The largest recorded giant weta, a gravid female Deinacrida heteracantha reared in captivity, reached a maximum weight of 72 g, about the weight of 3 mice.

Giant weta
Photo: Mark Moffett

The introduction of vertebrate competitors and predators such as mice, rats and cats have endangered some weta species. Endangered weta are protected by the New Zealand government and efforts have been made to establish populations on islands that exclude rodents and mammalian predators.