New Zealand Invertebrates

11005-31601 Mole weta (Deinacrida talpa) male 'guarding' underground burrow entrance with his short sturdy legs characterised by six strong spines running down both sides of legs. Discovered in January 1994 and known from only a few specimans, these short-legged, moderately sized burrowing, alpine giant weta are confined to the central region of the Paparoa Range where they tunnel beneath carpet grass. No other giant weta dig their own burrows in the soil. Mount Faraday, Paparoa Range *

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11005-31601 Mole weta (Deinacrida talpa) male 'guarding' underground burrow entrance with his short sturdy legs characterised by six strong spines running down both sides of legs. Discovered in January 1994 and known from only a few specimans, these short-legged, moderately sized burrowing, alpine giant weta are confined to the central region of the Paparoa Range where they tunnel beneath carpet grass. No other giant weta dig their own burrows in the soil. Mount Faraday, Paparoa Range *

31601 Mole weta giant female Paparoas Paparoa Range Deinacrida talpa burrowing burrow alpine Mount Faraday guarding legs spikey entrance