These giant flightless crickets are among the heaviest insects on the entire planet.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Endemic to New Zealand, wētā are a diverse group of over 100 species of flightless insects. Some grow so large they outweigh a sparrow, while others possess specialized defenses like stridulating legs or aquatic escape tactics. These nocturnal survivors offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of isolated island ecosystems.

Wētā are a group of roughly 100 insect species native to New Zealand, belonging to the families Anostostomatidae and Rhaphidophoridae. Often described as giant flightless crickets, these insects exhibit remarkable diversity in size and behavior. While some are small scavengers, others like the giant wētā (Deinacrida spp.) are among the heaviest insects globally, with one captive specimen reaching 70 grams. Their name originates from the Māori language, and they have long been a part of the country's unique natural heritage.

The group is split into several distinct types, including tree, ground, cave, and tusked wētā. Tree wētā (Hemideina spp.) are known for their harem-based social structures and their habit of occupying galleries in trees, which they defend with powerful mandibles and stridulating hind legs. Tusked wētā, meanwhile, feature dramatic, curved mandibles used in combat, while ground wētā often exhibit maternal care and burrowing behaviors. Cave wētā, or tokoriro, are only distant relatives of the other groups and possess highly sensitive antennae and feet to navigate dark environments.

Wētā have evolved to survive in varied environments, from alpine scree to urban gardens, thanks to their ability to tolerate temperature fluctuations. However, they face significant threats from introduced mammals like rats, cats, and hedgehogs, which have increased predation rates. Because of this, the Department of Conservation has implemented recovery programs since the 1970s to protect the 16 species currently considered at risk. These insects remain a subject of intense scientific study, particularly regarding their evolutionary history and the complex taxonomy of their many distinct species.

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