New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

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A new species of tusked weta from the Raukumara Range, North Island, New Zealand (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: Motuweta)

G. W. Gibbs

School of Biological Sciences
Victoria University
P.O. Box 600
Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract   A new species of weta from mainland New Zealand is described and assigned to the previously monotypic genus Motuweta Johns and the genus redefined. Mandibles of adult males bear prominent horns. Motuweta riparia n. sp. is a moderate-sized species (36 mm) found on the margins of first or second order streams in the eastern mid North Island ranges. Its escape reaction is to leap into the stream and remain underwater until danger has passed, a strategy which has probably enabled it to survive in predator-infested areas.

Keywords   Orthoptera; Anostostomatidae; Stenopelmatidae; Motuweta; tusked weta; mandibular horns; riparian; systematics

Z01042 Received 8 January 2002; accepted 26 August 2002; published 27 November 2002
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2002, Vol. 29: 293-301
0301-4223/02/2904-0293 $7.00/0 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2002

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