Deinacrida heteracantha, Little Barrier Island giant weta Description
Weta (Deinacrida heteracantha), female in life-size. (Original description, may be an old name)
Date 1867
Source NEW ZEALAND ITS PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE RESULTS OF GOVERNMENT EXPEDITIONS IN THE PROVINCES OF AUCKLAND AND NELSON. BY DR. FERDINAND VON HOCHSTETTER 1867 http://www.enzb.auckland.ac.nz/document/1867_-_von_Hochstetter%2C_Ferdinand._New_Zealand/CHAPTER_VIII%3A_The_Fauna/
Author BY DR. FERDINAND VON HOCHSTETTER
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WetaHochstetter.JPG
Deinacrida heteracantha, also known as Wetapunga, is a weta in the Order Orthoptera and Family Anostostomatidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and currently only found on Little Barrier Island and several smaller predator-free island conservation areas. This very large cricket mainly feeds at night, but is also active during the day, when it can be found aboveground in vegetation. It has been classified as vulnerable by the IUCN due to ongoing population declines and restricted distribution. Order: Orthoptera, Family: Anostostomatidae, Genus: Deinacrida, Species: Deinacrida heteracantha White, 1842.