Hemiandrus bilobatus (original) (raw)

Hemiandrus bilobatus, the wine wētā (or Cook Strait ground weta), is a species of ground weta endemic to New Zealand. Being a ground weta, they are often found in burrows in the ground during the daytime (as they are nocturnal). The species is found in Wellington, on Mana Island and northern South Island and is classified as "Not Threatened". This species of weta is unusual for an insect in that the female shows maternal care. She lays about 50 eggs in the same burrow she uses during the day and looks after her eggs until they hatch.