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Species Profile

Giant Weta

Deinacrida

Big bug, bold survivor.
Viktor Hejna/Shutterstock.com

Giant Weta Distribution

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Endemic Species
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Found in 1 country

🇳🇿 New Zealand
Giant Weta

At a Glance

Genus Overview This page covers the Giant Weta genus as a group. Stats below are general traits shared across the genus.
Also Known As Weta, Wētā, King weta, New Zealand weta
Diet Omnivore
Activity Nocturnal+
Lifespan 2 years
Weight 0.07 lbs
Status Not Evaluated
Did You Know?

All Deinacrida are endemic to New Zealand-found nowhere else on Earth.

Scientific Classification

Genus Overview "Giant Weta" is not a single species but represents an entire genus containing multiple species.

Giant wētā are exceptionally large, flightless orthopteran insects endemic to New Zealand, best represented by the genus Deinacrida. They are nocturnal, often ground- or shrub-dwelling, and are notable for their size, heavy bodies, long antennae, and powerful hind legs.

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Orthoptera
Family
Anostostomatidae
Genus
Deinacrida

Distinguishing Features

  • Very large, heavy-bodied wētā; among the largest orthopterans by mass
  • Flightless with long antennae and strong jumping legs
  • Nocturnal behavior; often sheltering in cavities/burrows by day
  • Endemic to New Zealand; many species are range-restricted island endemics

Physical Measurements

Males and females differ in size

Length
♀ 3 in (2 in – 5 in)
Weight
♂ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 0 lbs)
♀ 0 lbs (0 lbs – 0 lbs)
Top Speed
2 mph
No known top speed

Appearance

Primary Colors
Brown Tan Black
Secondary Colors
Cream Red Yellow Gray
Skin Type Heavily sclerotized (hard) chitinous exoskeleton with a matte-to-slightly glossy finish; typically roughened with spines/tubercles. Wingless (no functional wings), with robust, armored body segments.
Distinctive Features
  • Endemic to New Zealand; genus Deinacrida forms the core of the animals commonly called "giant wētā," with substantial diversity across islands and habitats.
  • Exceptionally large, heavy-bodied, flightless orthopterans with very long, threadlike antennae; strong hind legs adapted for powerful kicks and short bursts of jumping/clambering.
  • Spination is typical: tibial and femoral spines on the legs, and various small spurs/tubercles; degree and placement vary among species.
  • Large chewing mouthparts (mandibles) suited to an omnivorous diet; bite strength and head robustness can vary among taxa and sexes.
  • Nocturnal activity is common across the genus; daytime sheltering in cavities, under bark, among dense vegetation, in rock crevices, or burrows/shallow retreats is widespread, but preferred refuge type varies by species.
  • Diet across the genus is broadly omnivorous: leaves, fruits, seeds, flowers, carrion, and opportunistic predation/scavenging on invertebrates; the balance of plant vs animal material varies by species, season, and local resource availability.
  • Reproduction involves egg-laying into soil or suitable substrate; many females possess a conspicuous ovipositor used to place eggs, with egg-laying sites and seasonality varying by habitat and latitude.
  • Strongly impacted by introduced mammalian predators (e.g., rats, mustelids, cats); many populations persist best on offshore islands or in intensively managed mainland sanctuaries with predator control and/or fenced reserves.
  • Conservation ecology commonly includes translocations, island sanctuary management, and biosecurity; susceptibility and recovery rates vary among species depending on range size, habitat specialization, and predator exposure.
  • Adults grow about 3.5–10+ cm long (not counting antennae or ovipositor). Antennae are often as long or longer than the body. Mass ranges ~0.003–0.07 kg by species, sex, and breeding state.
  • Deinacrida, giant wētā, usually live about 1–3 years from egg to death, with adults living months. Cooler places may make them live longer; warmer places make them grow faster.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism is common but variable across Deinacrida. Females are often larger/heavier, especially when gravid, and typically bear a prominent ovipositor. Males may be slimmer and can show relatively enlarged heads/mandibles or more pronounced leg spines in some taxa, but the extent differs among species.

♂
  • Often smaller or lighter than females in many species (though overlap is common).
  • May show relatively broader heads and more developed mandibles in some species/populations.
  • In some taxa, leg spines and overall "armored" appearance can be more pronounced, but this is not uniform across the genus.
♀
  • Typically larger-bodied and heavier, especially when carrying eggs.
  • Conspicuous ovipositor (length/shape varies among species), used for placing eggs into soil/substrate.
  • Abdomen often appears fuller/wider; gravid females can be notably heavier than males of the same population.

Did You Know?

All Deinacrida are endemic to New Zealand-found nowhere else on Earth.

Across the genus, adults range roughly from ~35-100 mm body length, and about ~3-70 g in mass (largest females are heaviest).

They're flightless orthopterans: heavy-bodied with long antennae and powerful hind legs built for climbing and kicking defense.

Different Deinacrida live in very different places-coastal forest, shrubland, and even high alpine zones-yet most are nocturnal and secretive by day.

Introduced mammal predators (rats, stoats, cats) have driven major declines; many strongholds are now offshore islands and fenced sanctuaries.

Giant wētā develop slowly: many take multiple years to mature, so populations can recover slowly after losses.

Conservation work often involves translocations to predator-free islands/sanctuaries and careful habitat management rather than "one-size-fits-all" approaches.

Unique Adaptations

  • Flightlessness paired with robust armor and legs: instead of escaping by flight, Deinacrida rely on crypsis, tough bodies, and powerful kicking defense.
  • Long antennae for night navigation: extremely long, sensitive antennae help detect obstacles, food, and predators in low light.
  • Cold- and altitude-tolerance in alpine members: some Deinacrida persist in high-elevation environments where temperatures and weather are harsh (degree varies among species).
  • Energy-efficient, slow-paced life history: long development and relatively low activity by day fit environments where resources and safe conditions can be seasonal.
  • Spines and leverage: enlarged, spined hind legs provide both climbing ability and a formidable last-line defense against attackers.

Interesting Behaviors

  • Nocturnal foraging: most species emerge at night to feed, while spending the day hidden in vegetation, under debris, in cavities, or in rock crevices-exact shelters vary by habitat.
  • Flexible diets (varies by species and season): commonly herbivory (leaves, fruit, seeds), with opportunistic scavenging or invertebrate prey reported in some contexts.
  • Defensive displays: when threatened, individuals may raise hind legs, kick with spiny tibiae, and use strong jaws-intensity varies among species and individuals.
  • Slow life cycle: eggs are typically laid in soil; nymphs pass through multiple molts over a prolonged development period before adulthood.
  • Habitat partitioning across the genus: some species are more ground-associated, others more shrub/arboreal, and several are adapted to colder, wind-exposed alpine environments.
  • Mostly solitary tendencies are common, but local aggregations can occur where shelter sites are limited (e.g., suitable crevices or dense vegetation).

Cultural Significance

Giant wētā (Deinacrida) are well-known native insects of New Zealand. Called "weta" in English, they are used in conservation stories and education as symbols of being unique and at risk from introduced predators, and of pride in predator-free island sanctuaries.

Myths & Legends

In Indigenous New Zealand tradition, 'creeping creatures' (insects and reptiles) are linked to ancestral beings. Weta appear as part of larger family and symbolic groups, not lone characters.

Some Maori stories say Punga is an ancestor of land‑creeping animals like lizards and other reptiles. Newer stories sometimes link night forest insects, like wētā, with hidden wild life at night.

The word 'weta' in science and daily life comes from local knowledge and names. The genus name Deinacrida ('terrible grasshopper') shows European shock at their size and spines, not an Indigenous myth.

Conservation Status

NE Not Evaluated

Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Population Unknown

Protected Under

  • New Zealand Wildlife Act 1953 (protection framework for native wildlife; handling/collection generally requires authorization where applicable)
  • Conservation Act 1987 (management of public conservation lands and species recovery actions)
  • Reserves Act 1977 / National Parks Act 1980 (habitat protection on protected lands)
  • Biosecurity Act 1993 (framework supporting invasive species control critical to weta conservation)

Looking for a specific species?

Little Barrier giant wētā

Deinacrida heteracantha

This is the species most often highlighted in media and conservation stories under the common name "giant weta." Genus-wide ranges and generalizations for Deinacrida: adults are exceptionally large, flightless orthopterans; body length spans roughly ~50-100+ mm across species (females typically larger), and adult mass ranges from about ~10 g in smaller species to ~50-70 g in the heaviest females reported. Lifespan is generally around ~1-3+ years (longer total life including nymphal development), varying with species, climate, and resource availability. Ecology/behavior across the genus is predominantly nocturnal with daytime sheltering (burrows, cavities, dense vegetation, under logs/rocks); diets are broadly omnivorous (leaves, fruits/flowers, fungi, seeds, plus scavenging and opportunistic predation on smaller invertebrates), with variation among species in how plant-heavy vs. animal-heavy the diet is and in degree of ground- vs. shrub-use. Many species have naturally restricted ranges (often islands or localized mainland refugia), contributing to high vulnerability to introduced mammalian predators and habitat change.

  • A very large, flightless anostostomatid weta strongly associated with island refuges and intensive conservation management in New Zealand.
  • Nocturnal: typically shelters during the day and forages at night, using powerful hind legs for climbing and defense.
  • Females are usually larger than males and possess a prominent ovipositor used to lay eggs in suitable substrates.
  • A flagship taxon for invertebrate conservation because of its size, endemism, and high sensitivity to introduced predators and habitat disturbance.

You might be looking for:

Little Barrier giant wētā

30%

Deinacrida heteracantha

Largest and most iconic ‘giant wētā’; endemic to Hauturu/Little Barrier Island; often cited as one of the heaviest insects.

Poor Knights giant wētā

20%

Deinacrida fallai

Large Deinacrida species endemic to the Poor Knights Islands; a notable member of the ‘giant wētā’ complex.

Mahoenui giant wētā

18%

Deinacrida mahoenui

Mainland-associated giant wētā; known from the Mahoenui area and conservation management contexts.

Cook Strait giant wētā

17%

Deinacrida rugosa

Large, robust giant wētā associated with islands around Cook Strait; commonly referenced in NZ fauna guides.

Giant wētā (broader sense)

15%

Deinacrida spp. (and sometimes Hemideina spp.)

In some informal usage, ‘giant wētā’ can be applied more broadly to large wētā beyond Deinacrida, including some Hemideina species.

Life Cycle

Birth 150 nymphs
Lifespan 2 years

Lifespan

In the Wild
1–3 years
In Captivity
1.5–4 years

Reproduction

Mating System Polygynandry
Social Structure Solitary
Breeding Pattern Transient
Fertilization Internal Fertilization
Birth Type Internal_fertilization

Giant wētā (Deinacrida) live alone. Mating is brief; males give a spermatophore for internal fertilization. Both sexes often mate with several partners (promiscuous). Short mate guarding may occur; no care after eggs.

Behavior & Ecology

Social Aggregation Group: 1
Activity Nocturnal, Crepuscular
Diet Omnivore Ripe soft fruits/berries (when seasonally available)
Seasonal Hibernates

Temperament

Generally cryptic and avoidance-oriented; relies on remaining still in refuges by day
Defensive when handled or cornered (may raise hind legs, posture, or bite); intensity varies by species and individual
Typically non-cooperative and intolerant at close range, though tolerance increases when refuges are scarce
Risk-averse; may freeze or retreat rather than engage, but can show vigorous struggling/defense if restrained

Communication

stridulatory rasping/squeaking sounds produced during disturbance or defensive displays Varies among species
tactile signaling via antennae during encounters and courtship
chemical cues (pheromones and contact chemicals) likely important for mate finding, species recognition, and assessing conspecific presence
substrate-borne vibrations or drumming-like signals may be used at close range; extent likely varies among species and contexts
visual postures at close range (threat displays, leg-raising) used in defense and spacing rather than long-distance signaling

Habitat

Forest Rainforest Woodland Shrubland Grassland Alpine Meadow Mountain Cliff/Rocky Outcrop Cave Coastal Rocky Shore +5
Biomes:
Temperate Forest Temperate Rainforest Temperate Grassland Alpine
Terrain:
Island Coastal Rocky Hilly Mountainous Valley Plains Volcanic +2
Elevation: Up to 7217 ft 10 in

Ecological Role

Nocturnal omnivorous browser/predator-scavenger contributing to energy flow between plant resources and higher trophic levels in New Zealand terrestrial ecosystems; also an important prey item for native predators where present.

herbivory/browsing that can influence shrub and herb understory dynamics opportunistic predation and scavenging that aids nutrient recycling potential seed movement and incidental dispersal via fruit feeding (species- and context-dependent) serves as prey supporting native food webs (e.g., birds, reptiles, introduced mammals where present)

Diet Details

Main Prey:
Small insects Terrestrial invertebrates Invertebrate eggs and soft-bodied larvae Carrion of insects and small animals
Other Foods:
Leaves and young shoots Flowers and pollen Fruits and berries Seeds Fungal material and decaying plant matter

Human Interaction

Domestication Status

Wild

Giant wētā (Deinacrida) are wild New Zealand orthopterans and have not been domesticated. People mainly help them through conservation: predator control, habitat protection, and moving them to predator-free islands or sanctuaries. They are studied by scientists and sometimes kept under permit for education or conservation breeding, and are managed as protected wildlife.

Danger Level

Low
  • painful pinch or bite if handled (strong mandibles; defensive response varies among species and individuals)
  • scratches/punctures from leg spines during handling
  • stress-related harm to the animal from improper handling (a welfare risk more than a human safety risk)
  • rare allergic reactions to insect proteins or contaminants (uncommon; seek care if significant swelling or systemic symptoms occur)

As a Pet

Not Suitable as Pet

Legality: Often restricted: in New Zealand Deinacrida (giant wētā) are protected and usually need permits to take or keep. Export/import is controlled. Elsewhere laws vary, and legal captive-bred pets are rare.

Care Level: Expert Only

Purchase Cost: Up to $250
Lifetime Cost: $100 - $1,200

Economic Value

Uses:
Conservation value (flagship/charismatic invertebrates driving predator-control funding and public support) Ecotourism and wildlife tourism (night walks, sanctuaries, interpretation centers) Education and outreach (schools, museums, zoos/invertebrate houses) Scientific research (island biogeography, ecology, physiology, conservation biology) Cultural/natural heritage value in New Zealand
Products:
  • no standard commercial products (not farmed as a commodity)
  • interpretive exhibits and educational programming
  • research outputs (datasets, publications) and conservation program materials

Relationships

Predators 8

Kiwi
Kiwi Apteryx
Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae
Weka Gallirallus australis
Tuatara
Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus
Rat
Rat Rattus spp.
Stoat
Stoat Mustela erminea
Cat
Cat Felis catus
European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus

Related Species 9

Little Barrier giant weta Deinacrida heteracantha Shared Genus
Poor Knights giant weta Deinacrida fallai Shared Genus
Mahoenui giant wētā Deinacrida mahoenui Shared Genus
Cook Strait giant weta Deinacrida rugosa Shared Genus
Kaikōura giant wētā Deinacrida parva Shared Genus
Gorge giant weta Deinacrida connectens Shared Genus
Auckland tree weta Hemideina thoracica Shared Family
Wellington tree weta Hemideina crassidens Shared Family
Tusked weta Motuweta Shared Genus

Ecological Equivalents 4

Animals that fill a similar ecological role in their ecosystem

Tree weta Hemideina spp. Nocturnal, mostly flightless New Zealand orthopterans that shelter in cavities by day and forage at night. They overlap in omnivory (plant material and invertebrates) and in predator communities, although tree weta are typically more arboreal and smaller on average.
Tusked weta Motuweta spp. Shares island-endemic ecology in New Zealand, nocturnal habits, and vulnerability to introduced mammalian predators. Tusked weta occupy similar ground-level niches but differ markedly in morphology and mating ecology.
Jerusalem crickets Stenopelmatus spp. Large-bodied, flightless, mostly nocturnal orthopterans that are ground-dwelling omnivores and scavengers. They perform similar foraging roles in leaf litter and soil despite being from different regions and lineages.
Large cave crickets Rhaphidophoridae Nocturnal orthopterans that often use sheltered retreats by day and forage at night; they overlap in habitat use (cavities, under logs, rock crevices) and have generalist diets, although rhaphidophorids are usually slimmer and more cave-associated.

Types of Giant Weta

6

Explore 6 recognized types of giant weta

Little Barrier giant weta Deinacrida heteracantha
Poor Knights giant weta Deinacrida fallai
Mahoenui giant wētā Deinacrida mahoenui
Cook Strait giant weta Deinacrida rugosa
Kaikoura giant weta Deinacrida parva
Gorge giant wētā Deinacrida connectens

The Giant Weta is a type of weta insect only found and restricted to New Zealand. Although the Weta is itself quite a large insect, some species of Giant Weta are the largest insects in the world. Resembling a grasshopper, the Giant Weta has been around since the age of dinosaurs and is known to have existed before some species of dinosaurs even set foot into the world. It is mainly nocturnal, one of the reasons why it has survived for millions of years. 

Giant Weta Species, Types, and Scientific name

Giant Weta are also referred to as wētāpunga. Its scientific name, Deinacrida, comes from the North of North Islands in New Zealand known as Te Ika-a-Māui among the locals. The name translates into demon or terrible locust in the Maori language. It comes from the order Orthoptera and the family Anostostomatidae. 

Some species of Giant Weta are now endangered. There have been many studies and projects carried out to increase its population but they remain an easy target of many predators. Today, they remain restricted to only one island in New Zealand. 

A Giant Weta is easily recognizable due to its huge cricket-like body, which may be equivalent to a mouse if weighed. They have a narrow upper body region but long and curvy legs. Giant Weta have enlarged, spiny, hind legs and are mostly wingless. Giant Weta can thrive in many different environments, including alpine, forests, grasslands, caves, shrub lands and gardens.

How Many Giant Weta Species Are There?

There are 11 known species of Giant Weta. Most of these insects grow up to be larger than the Weta species, which are 70 in number. The 11 species of Giant Weta are of various kinds:

  • Deinacrida carinata (Herekopare wētā)
  • Deinacrida connectens (Scree wētā)
  • Deinacrida elegans (Bluff wētā)
  • Deinacrida fallai (Poor Knights giant wētā)
  • Deinacrida heteracantha (Little Barrier Island giant wētā)
  • Deinacrida mahoenui (Mahoenui giant wētā)
  • Deinacrida parva (Kaikoura giant wētā)
  • Deinacrida pluvialis (Mt Cook giant wētā)
  • Deinacrida rugosa (Cook Strait giant wētā)
  • Deinacrida talpa (Giant mole wētā)
  • Deinacrida tibiospina (Mt Arthur giant wētā)

Appearance: How To Identify Giant Weta?

Eggs 

The female Giant Weta can carry as many as 200 to 300 eggs in their whole life. They are present in its belly and are cigar-shaped. They lay these eggs into the soil using a female organ known as the ovipositor. After 8 months, the hatchlings come out resembling adults. 

Instars

Hatchlings that are formed are called instars. After 11 instars or molting their exoskeleton, Giant Wetas eventually reach adulthood in nearly 2 years. Molting their exoskeleton helps them to become their giant size. Most of Giant Weta only live for roughly 6 to 9 months after reaching adulthood. After 2 years, they reach the age of sexual maturity and mate. 

Giant Weta

The Giant Weta is the largest insect on Earth.

©Viktor Hejna/Shutterstock.com

Adults

A Giant Weta may resemble a cricket but it is the largest insect on Earth. An easy identifier for finding Giant Weta is that they carry a smelly odor. They are around 4 inches in length and weigh around 1.2 ounces. However, the females are larger than the males and may weigh as much as a small sparrow. 

Giant Wetas are blackish black or brownish green in color which helps them stay hidden in their surroundings. They have a shorter upper body region and a much bulkier lower body region. Its body is covered in an exoskeleton which helps it to breathe like all other insects. It also has a pair of antennas and an innocent-looking face. 

As for its locomotion, it usually travels on foot. Although the wetas can jump as high as 6 feet, Giant Wetas are too heavy to stay in the air or jump constantly. They can run using their long and slender legs but often it is not enough to help them escape their predators. Some of the legs have spine-like structures. 

An interesting thing about their ears is that they are on their knees. You can spot them as holes on the front legs near the knee joints. This is to help them widen their range of hearing. When they spread their legs, even the smaller Giant Wetas can hear from a farther distance.

The largest Giant Weta to have been recorded up till now measured up to 4.3 inches in length and could spread its legs to 7 inches wide. 

Behavior

Giant Weta are not aggressive and mainly nocturnal. They tend to live together in small groups near their natural habitat. Weta have evolved along with native predators such as birds, reptiles and bats. However, their population is declining at a fast rate due to introduction of rodents, cats and hedgehogs.

It is worth noting that the females can become aggressive while carrying eggs. Giant Weta bites are rare but can be painful. These mostly passive insects spend most of their time eating or, in the case of adults, mating. The males can travel over 800 feet per night in search of a companion. 

Habitat: Where to find Giant Weta?

Giant Wetas are only found in New Zealand. Even in New Zealand, they were spread across Auckland, Great Barrier Island, and Northland. But now there is only one group of the Giant Weta left in the world in the Little Barrier Island, also known as Hauturu-o-Toi.

Since they come out at night, they stay hidden under bushes during the day. You can spot them in a variety of obscured places like grasslands, shrublands, forests, and even caves. Through digging, they can make holes under stones and trees which further aids them in hiding. If an existing burrow is available, you can find them there as well. 

Has Giant Weta Become Extinct?

The Giant Weta is an endangered insect whose population is greatly declining. The reason for their decline is that New Zealand was not once populated as it is today. There are non-native mammals that eat the Giant Weta and humans that can destroy their habitat. 

All in all, they cannot even hide anymore due to their large size, causing them to go near-extinct. However, people have been trying to protect what little of them are left now.

Scientists have been producing backup populations of Giant Weta as a tradeoff. Through this process, they aim to preserve smaller communities of Giant Weta if one dies due to a catastrophe. 

In 2011, around 25 adults of Giant Weta were released into Tiritiri Matangi Island, and 12 were released into the Hauturu o Toi in 2012. As a result, in 2013, baby Giant Wetas were hatched from eggs called instars. Similarly, in 2014, adults or premature Giant Wetas were released into the island of Tiritiri Matangi. 

Many small and large groups were released into a bunch of islands in New Zealand. Apartments of bamboo were built to keep them near or around these habitats for monitoring purposes. 

Diet: What do Giant Wetas Eat?

Their diet is mainly herbivorous but they can also eat other smaller insects. You can find them munching on fresh leaves and plants that are found near their habitat. In 2011, the Giant Weta was also discovered eating some carrots which may sound unusual but is a common food for many insects. A Giant Weta may eat large leaves like the karaka, karamu, māmāngi, māhoe, and kohekoh.

What Eats Giant Weta?

There are a lot of threats to a Giant Weta since they are not good at escaping. But mice, cats and other rodents are one of their biggest predators. 

Up next…

Take a look at a few of our other articles to learn more about some amazing insects.

  • Mega Bugs Find out what kind of giant bugs used to roam the earth.
  • Giant Leopard Moth – No, it’s not a bird or a plane, it’s probably this moth.
  • Asian Giant Hornet – Read on to find out why they call it the murder hornet!
View all 261 animals that start with G

Sources

  1. D.O.C. NZ / Accessed July 27, 2022
  2. Wikipedia / Accessed July 27, 2022
  3. Mental Floss / Accessed July 27, 2022
  4. Science Line / Accessed July 27, 2022
  5. Zealandia / Accessed July 27, 2022
  6. Wired / Accessed July 27, 2022
Alan Lemus

About the Author

Alan Lemus

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.
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