Weta Report

This is a piece of writing that we did for our minibeast topic when we were learning about weta.  had to write an information report on this insect.

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Weta Information Report

What is a weta?  

Weta are a native insect in Aotearoa New Zealand. Weta are invertebrates which means the have a skeleton on the outside of their body and have no spine. There are lots of different types of weta. The five main types they are Tree weta, ground weta, cave weta, tusked weta and the giant weta, but there are over 70 species. Moari people thought that it was ugly and called it punga (the spirit of ugliness)

Where do weta live?

Depending on the type of weta they are they live in different places. The tree weta live in logs and barrows in trees and you might find them in your wood pile. Ground weta live on the ground or in burrows in the ground. The tusked weta also lives on the ground. Cave weta live near sea coast caves in Hollow tree trunks. Giant weta live on Island Sanctuaries. People need to make sure weta have a habitat to live in.

 What do weta eat?

Depending on the type of weta they are usually herbivores, carnivores or omnivores. Weta usually eat flowers leaves lichen seed heads and fruit. Weta that are carnivorous eat small invertebrates like snails and worms. Weta feed at night so that they don't get caught by predators. Surprisingly weta like eating carrots. 

Weta Reproduction

Kōanga/Spring and Raumati/Summer are when the weta mate. In ngahuru/autumn female weta lay up to 300 eggs, at 6 to 10 at a time. Male tree weta live in a hole with a group of female weta during mating time. The male weta fight off other males to win over the female.

Are weta social?

Weta are not usually that social. Most weta live alone except for tree weta. Tree weta tend to live in big groups with others of their kind. Weta rub their legs together to make chirping noises to communicate with each other.

What are weta threats?

Weta now have many threats like stoats, birds, cats/ngerou, rats, bats and hedgehogs. Weta had only two threats (tuatara and birds) until people introduced all those other animals. Weta point their legs up in the air to make themselves look bigger and more intimidating. Their only protection is their hard exoskeleton.

                                                    

                                                   

This was my weta information report I hope you learnt something new about weta. They are an important insect in aotearoa even though they aren’t pollinators all insects are important. For weta to survive we need to protect their habitat.