Deinacrida connectens, often referred to as the alpine scree wētā, is a member of the Anostostomatidae family. It is nocturnal and lives under rocks between 1,200 m (3,900 ft) and 3,600 m (11,800 ft) above sea level in the South Island. The male can reach up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) in length, whereas the female can be 7.2 cm (2.8 in), with both sexes varying substantially in colour. It is the most widespread of the eleven species of giant wētā (Deinacrida), but unlike most other giant wētā, is not a threatened species under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. It is an omnivore that feeds on plants such as Aciphylla and Gaultheria depressa.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
We have no record of Scree 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
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Orthoptera
- Family
- Anostostomatidae
- Genus
- Deinacrida
- Species
- Deinacrida connectens
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