Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
Jul 3rd 2010 | 2:45 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 38
From: Queenstown
Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
Well we heard about them before we came out - but can't believe how big they are in the flesh!! 
See attached - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!
Think its an Auckland Tree Weta - it was drowned in the bottom of our dogs outdoor water bowl... it came back to life about 5 hrs later - very freaky!
Very cool looking bug - but wouldn't want to come across one in the house... how do you catch one of these??? Apparently they jump like a grasshopper - eurgh!
See attached - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!
Think its an Auckland Tree Weta - it was drowned in the bottom of our dogs outdoor water bowl... it came back to life about 5 hrs later - very freaky!
Very cool looking bug - but wouldn't want to come across one in the house... how do you catch one of these??? Apparently they jump like a grasshopper - eurgh!
Jul 3rd 2010 | 6:33 pm
#2
Happy in Wellington
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,286
From: Tawa, Wellington, Aotearoa
Re: Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
They're awesome aren't they?
You can catch them in your hands - thought they can give you a nip apparently if they get upset.
They do have a heck of a jump too - very powerful legs.
You can catch them in your hands - thought they can give you a nip apparently if they get upset.
They do have a heck of a jump too - very powerful legs.
Jul 5th 2010 | 1:42 am
#3
happy daisy
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 690
From: French Alps
Re: Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
what a stunning insect!
Jul 5th 2010 | 8:00 am
#4
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,227
From: Welly UK to Welly NZ to Welly UK
Re: Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
Stunning and very resourceful!!
Turned on the outside tap, which hadn't been used for a while.....wondered why no water came out, then low and behold water suddenly gushed out complete with huge weta that had made a home in the tap!!
Turned on the outside tap, which hadn't been used for a while.....wondered why no water came out, then low and behold water suddenly gushed out complete with huge weta that had made a home in the tap!!
Jul 5th 2010 | 9:07 pm
#5
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,787
Re: Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
Well we heard about them before we came out - but can't believe how big they are in the flesh!!
See attached - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!
Think its an Auckland Tree Weta - it was drowned in the bottom of our dogs outdoor water bowl... it came back to life about 5 hrs later - very freaky!
Very cool looking bug - but wouldn't want to come across one in the house... how do you catch one of these??? Apparently they jump like a grasshopper - eurgh!
See attached - NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!
Think its an Auckland Tree Weta - it was drowned in the bottom of our dogs outdoor water bowl... it came back to life about 5 hrs later - very freaky!
Very cool looking bug - but wouldn't want to come across one in the house... how do you catch one of these??? Apparently they jump like a grasshopper - eurgh!
Jul 5th 2010 | 10:09 pm
#6
Life is what YOU make it.
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,312
From: Christchurch
Jul 6th 2010 | 4:40 pm
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 794
Re: Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
Some places are weta than others. Never seen any in the South Island, although they are around. In Auckland we used to come across them all the time. They'd come in through the windows, stick to the walls and be in the dog bowl on a regular basis.
The best way to catch them is with a glass.
Then you do that running around, waving your hands thing where you don't know what to do next. Then you get a bit of paper or card and slide it under the glass and release the beggar outside.
The best way to catch them is with a glass.
Then you do that running around, waving your hands thing where you don't know what to do next. Then you get a bit of paper or card and slide it under the glass and release the beggar outside.
Jul 6th 2010 | 5:01 pm
#12
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,010
From: Queensland, Australia
Re: Monster bugs! What-a-Weta!
I've never seen them in the south either, they're awesome aren't they.
