How a 'god of ugly things' survived the arrival of mammals

Nature · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In New Zealand, a massive, fist-sized insect is fighting for survival. Known as the Mahoenui giant weta, this mahogany-colored creature behaves remarkably like a mouse, but it faces a modern threat: invasive predators that were never part of its evolutionary history.

The Mahoenui giant weta (Deinacrida mahoenui) is a flightless, stingless insect that occupies a unique ecological niche. In the Māori language, weta translates to 'god of ugly things.' Despite its lack of traditional crowd appeal, this species functions much like a small mammal; it is mahogany-colored, roughly the size of a fist, and spends its nights foraging on leaves while hiding during the day. Even its droppings are small and round, mirroring those of a mouse.

However, the arrival of invasive mammals has pushed several weta species toward the brink of extinction. Predators such as rats, mice, cats, and weasels can easily devastate these vulnerable insects. Some species, like the odorous weta, are particularly easy prey because their scent is so strong it attracts rodents. To combat this, conservationists like David Wallace and Corinne Watts use specialized 2.3-meter-high fences at the 16-hectare Warrenheip Reserve. These barriers use mesh netting, metal rims, and underground chicken wire to block predators, though the weta occasionally manage to climb over.

New Zealand's conservation strategy involves protecting 16 of the country's estimated 83 weta species through mammal-free islands and mainland habitats. While the struggle is ongoing, researchers at Landcare Research and ecologists from Arizona State University note that these efforts are paying off. Many weta appear to establish themselves readily in new locations, offering a rare success story in a global era where insect diversity is generally shrinking.

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