Hemideina thoracica, commonly known as the Auckland tree wētā or tokoriro is a cricket-like insect (within the family Anostostomatidae). It is endemic to New Zealand and is found over most of the North Island, except for the Wellington region and regions 900 metres above sea level. This species is an arboreal, herbivorous generalist however, it is also thought to be polyphagous and is found in all wooded habitats, including forest, scrub and suburban gardens.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Auckland Tree Weta being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Hemideina crassidens
- Hemideina ricta
- Hemideina femorata
- Deinacrida heteracantha
- Liparoscelis pallidispina
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera
- Family
- Anostostomatidae
- Genus
- Hemideina
- Species
- Hemideina thoracica
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