Scientists welcome three new weta discoveries
You might think that Aoteaora already has its fair share of wētā, with more than 100 different species of the flightless crickets, but the list keeps growing, with three new species now recorded.
Unlike the tree wētā, which is the type of wētā you’re most likely to find in your garden, the three new discoveries are all cave wētā, which is a slightly misleading name as most cave wētā don’t live in caves.
The newly described species belong to two new genera – Crux boudica was found on Rakiura / Stewart Island but its sister species, Crux heggi, turned up in northwest South Island. Massey University Professor of evolutionary ecology Steven Trewick, whose paper Two new genera of tokoriro (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Macropathinae) from Aotearoa New Zealand was published in July, named the species Crux after the ancient Iceni warrior queen, who is said to have armed the wheels of her chariot with blades. (“The name seemed suitable as female Crux boudica are armed on their bellies with several formidable prongs and spikes that are most likely important during mating.”) The species C. heggi is named for New Zealand orthopterist and photographer Danilo Hegg.
The third species, Occultastella morgana, was discovered in the coal seam soils on the Dennison Plateau on the West Coast, and is named ‘morgana’ for Professor Mary Morganrichards, who Steve wrote has “contributed extensively on the ecology, systematics and taxonomy” of different types of wētā. She also happens to be his wife.
“These and all other wētā species are endemic to Aotearoa and we have a lot to learn about their biology. Currently we are still discovering what is out there,” he says.
Our native insects need our protection from introduced predators such as rats, which is another good reason to have a rat trap on your property. You can increase habitat for native animals with leaf litter, logs and “not being too tidy”, says Steve. You might even like to make your own wētā hotel – you can find design ideas on one of Steve’s blogs: sites.massey.ac.nz/ turitea/2024/05/08/what-weta-and-where/