Weta
Hemideina crassidens
The Weta ( Anostostomatidae ) are a predominantly widespread in the southern hemisphere family of long horned crickets. Most species are native to Australia and New Zealand, more are found in New Caledonia, New Guinea, South Africa, Madagascar and Latin America. Their taxonomic classification is still largely unclear. The name " Weta " comes from the Maori language, its name Wetapunga means " god of ugly things." The family is already known from far back dated fossil finds.
Features
In New Zealand, experience the greatest types: Individual members of this family can be longer than about 90 mm. The Deinacrida heteracantha reached a body mass of up to 71 grams. Thus, it is not only the most serious long horned grasshopper, but one of the heaviest insects in general.
Other species are found in South Africa, such as the type Libanasidus vittatus.
Way of life
The individual species feed mainly predatory. They often have a complex social behavior. Males usually have various modifications of the head, which are used in battles with rivals. In addition to the most common form of communication, the transmission of noise through the air, various methods are used in some types of vibrations to be transmitted over the ground.
The development of the animals takes a relatively long usually. Before the larvae escape the eggs can take up to 18 months. In one to three -year development phase following seven to ten larval stages are gone through. Adult animals can be more than a year to live.
Weta as a name
The special effects company Weta Workshop appropriated the filmmaker Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor wetas aware as a name to. She was known for her involvement in Jackson's adaptation of the novel Lord of the Rings.