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There are 11 species of giant weta (Deinacrida spp.), although not all are significantly bigger than other weta, which are themselves large by insect standards. They are heavy insects with a body length of up to 100 mm (adult females including ovipositor) excluding legs and antennae, and weigh up to 35 g. The largest species of is the Little Barrier Island weta Deinacrida heteracantha, also known as the wetapunga, but this is closely related to the other northern species, D. fallai and D. mahoenui. The most widespread species is D. connectens, the alpine scree weta which lives only amongst rocks at the tops of many South Island mountains. The name Deinacrida, which translates from the Greek to mean deamon grasshopper, but these weta tend to be less agressive and more passive than many others. Most species are encountered only rarely.
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| Stephen's Island giant weta (DOC image) |
Giant weta (DOC image) |
Alpine scree weta |
| Deinacrida rugosa |
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Deinacrida connectens |
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