Deinacrida mahoenui
| Deinacrida mahoenui | ||||||||||||
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Deinacrida mahoenui , golden yellow color variant |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Deinacrida mahoenui | ||||||||||||
| Gibbs , 1999 |
Deinacrida mahoenui is endemic to New Zealand occurring long horned grasshopper (Ensifera) from the family of Weta (Anostostomatidae). The specific epithet refers to the Mahoenui communityin the west of the North Island of New Zealandnear the small town of Te Kuiti , where the species was found.
features
The adults of Deinacrida mahoenui are among the very large representatives of the long-feeler terrors. Females reach a body length of up to 75 millimeters, males up to 50 millimeters. Females weigh on average 19 grams, males 12 grams. It is believed that the significant size is due to the phenomenon of island gigantism . Both sexes are wingless. There are two color variants, a dark brown and a golden yellow. The tergum is armored. The legs are provided with thorns. The antennae are very long. The very long, slightly upwardly curved ovipositor in the females is striking .
Distribution and occurrence
The species is endemic and very local to New Zealand. An expansion of the distribution area is being sought there with implementation programs. Deinacrida mahoenui prefers to colonize landscapes and grazing areas with gorse ( Ulex ).
Development and way of life
After fertilization, the females of Deinacrida mahoenui lay the eggs up to 23 millimeters below the surface of the earth using the long ovipositor in early autumn. A total of 200 to 400 eggs are produced. Before winter begins, the adult animals die. The larvae hatch in March and April of the following year. They molt once a month until August, then every two months thereafter. They are fully grown in February of the following year. If a leg or antennae should break off during the first six molting phases, they have the ability to regenerate the damaged body parts after molting. The larvae feed primarily on insects (Insecta), sometimes on leaves or bark. Even cannibalism was observed. The adults live individually in their biotopes. If an intruder gets into their territory, they try to drive it away with warning noises ( stridulation ) or by threatening them with their thorny hind legs.
Danger
The species used to be widespread in New Zealand. However, many populations of these flightless terrors were destroyed by introduced mammal species and they are only found in very small areas of New Zealand today. In order to reduce the risk of extinction, implementation campaigns have been carried out in regions in which the risk from bushfires is low and which are free from introduced mammals (especially rats). Future efforts to establish Deinacrida mahoenui will require careful and long-term monitoring of populations, especially in areas where there is a high likelihood of mammalian re-invasion. The species has not yet been officially recorded by the World Conservation Organization IUCN , but is considered " endangered ".
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Information on Mahoenui Giant Wata In: Waitomo Education Service
- ↑ Endangerment
- ^ New Zealand Threat Classification System
literature
GW Gibbs: Four new species of giant weta, Deinacrida (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Deinacridinae) from New Zealand. , Journal of The Royal Society of New Zealand, Vol. 29, No. 4, December 1999, pp. 307-324
Web links
- springer.com - Where have all the weta gone? (en)