Deinacrida talpa, the giant mole weta, is a species of insect in the family Anostostomatidae. It is endemic to New Zealand.[2] Although the species is similar to closely related species, its key distinguishing factor is their ability to live in burrows dug by the weta.[3] The Department of Conservation assessed its status as "At Risk: Naturally Uncommon".[1]

Deinacrida talpa

Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Orthoptera
Suborder: Ensifera
Family: Anostostomatidae
Genus: Deinacrida
Species:
D. talpa
Binomial name
Deinacrida talpa
Gibbs, 1999

References

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  1. ^ a b Trewick, Steven A.; Johns, P. M.; Hitchmough, Rod A.; Rolfe, Jeremy; Stringer, Ian (2016). Conservation status of New Zealand Orthoptera, 2014. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. Wellington, N.Z: Department of Conservation.
  2. ^ "New Zealand Invertebrates - Rod Morris". www.rodmorris.co.nz. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  3. ^ Gibbs, G. W. 1999. Four new species of giant weta,Deinacrida(Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae: aaaDeinacridinae) from New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 29:307–324.