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chrissie
10th January 2005, 06:37 PM
Has anyone here encountered a Weta yet?? My son and I have just had our first encounter with a male and femal pair in our back garden and I have had to have a large glass of wine to get over the shock!!!

Moorf
10th January 2005, 06:52 PM
That bad eh?!

Have only seen a baby one in the garden - it was a tortoiseshell colour.. very weird but, thankfully, very small.

As we seem to have a budding Bhuddist in our midst (eh Veronica!) I shan't say what Woz did to it!!

:?

Moorf

Beach Kiwi
10th January 2005, 07:25 PM
Like this one that likes to eat my mouse? ;) :mrgreen:


CLICK ME (http://www.netlane.nm.ru/weta3.jpg)

You will need to click on one of the links, under where it says "Save the file", on the Online Resource Centre page to see the picture. (It doesn't actually save the file on your computer though, so don't worry)

Moorf
10th January 2005, 07:34 PM
Please tell me that's not real!!

:eek

Timbo
10th January 2005, 07:35 PM
Beach Kiwi, what do you call him/her? That is one cute little critter.

Beach Kiwi
10th January 2005, 07:37 PM
As we seem to have a budding Bhuddist in our midst (eh Veronica!) I shan't say what Woz did to it!!


They're not poisonous, and are harmless, except for their tendency to nip you when provoked, or kick with their hind legs. Just let them climb on a stick and move them somewhere else. :nice1

Beach Kiwi
10th January 2005, 07:41 PM
Please tell me that's not real!!



It's real, and alive. It's not here now though - it's outside with all its mates. :nice1



Beach Kiwi, what do you call him/her? That is one cute little critter

Yes, they're 'cute', but also fairly quick and 'grabby'. :mrgreen:

jhsay
10th January 2005, 07:46 PM
What's a weta? Is it related to cockroach? Is it a crustacean? The pointed thing on it's behind is surely scary.

Beach Kiwi
10th January 2005, 08:02 PM
What's a weta? Is it related to cockroach? Is it a crustacean? The pointed thing on it's behind is surely scary.

The weta is a member of the order Orthoptera and is a relative of grasshoppers, locusts, katydids, and crickets. (Scientific definition)

By the way, there's a much larger one called the Giant Weta, and is as big as a grown mans open hand! It's the biggest insect in the world! :uhoh

Diny
10th January 2005, 08:03 PM
We've got a giant weta that lives on the book case in our sitting room.

Thankfully it's encased in 1 inch thick resin and is used as a paperweight.

Harmless? They are NOT harmless ....... they are well known for causing heart attacks !!! :eek

Diny

Beach Kiwi
10th January 2005, 08:12 PM
We've got a giant weta that lives on the book case in our sitting room.


Are you sure it's a Giant Weta, as they're quite rare? The 'ordinary' ones are still quite large though.

The top row of pictures in this Google search (http://images.google.com/images?q=giant+weta&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search) has a picture of one on someones hand. :uhoh

jhsay
10th January 2005, 08:30 PM
Are you sure it's not related to the lobster? :?

Diny
10th January 2005, 10:20 PM
Why on earth would anybody want to have one of those on their hands.

I called ours a giant weta 'cos to me it's blooming massive !!! It is actually VERY big but as to whether it's an 'actual giant weta' I couldn't say. If people go making paperweights out of them no wonder they're quite rare.

Best place for them though I reckon.

We bought it from a shop called Weta in Coromandel.

Diny

Jo and Andy
10th January 2005, 10:57 PM
How common are they. I agree that they look scary, would not want to mind one on my hand. If I did it would be followed by some very frantic and amusing dancing around the house.

Beach Kiwi
11th January 2005, 07:33 AM
Why on earth would anybody want to have one of those on their hands.

To show how brave you are? ;) :mrgreen:

I called ours a giant weta 'cos to me it's blooming massive !!! It is actually VERY big but as to whether it's an 'actual giant weta' I couldn't say.

Full grown tree Wetas, the most common variety, are quite large, especially the males, so it's most likely yours is one too. :yes

The one in my picture is a female, and therefore small(ish). :cool

Beach Kiwi
11th January 2005, 07:39 AM
How common are they.

Pretty common, and they can be found in most, if not all big cities too, although they are more common on the North Island than the South.

When I lived in suburban Auckland I had quite a lot of them on my property, especially in my Privet hedge! They even came inside sometimes, if the window or door was left open.

By the way, they're more active at night than the day.

jo b
11th January 2005, 08:14 AM
Hi

I've just showed my husband this thread as he doesn't post on this forum. When he seen the giant Weta his first words were 'that's it we're not going now'

Then when I said giant Weta are rare he said.

There great job for you. You can be a Weta farmer and make paperweights :laugh

It made me laugh anyway

Jo

Lil
11th January 2005, 08:24 AM
If ever I meet one in the flesh I shall require immediate first aid and recusitation! The very thought scares me to death. :wah

Beach Kiwi
11th January 2005, 11:06 AM
Then when I said giant Weta are rare he said...


Giant Weta are rare, but tree Weta are quite common - except in fairly new suburbs, of course. To be frank, you probably won't see many around, as they live in trees and bushes, and are more active at night. They also don't usually run away from humans, and will just sit there looking at you. If you 'threaten' them enough they will run away, but only as far as they feel necessary, which may only be a few inches!

Try petting them on the back, they don't seem to mind, but may kick you with their hind legs. They are smooth and firm to the touch, and quite clean. :cool

chuchi
11th January 2005, 12:41 PM
I dont like the look of that Weta. I think I'm going to have a heart attack when I see one. :wah

How big are the giant ones?

Jules
11th January 2005, 01:49 PM
if you threaten them enough

Yeah right, what with an elephant gun :eek

I definately WONT be petting them :?

Jules

Beach Kiwi
11th January 2005, 02:25 PM
How big are the giant ones?

Have a look at the second and third pictures in the top row of this Google search (http://images.google.com/images?q=giant+weta&hl=en&btnG=Google+Search). :nice1



Yeah right, what with an elephant gun.

Apparently, when first discovered by a British scientist, he couldn't kill a specimen for study by either putting it under water for four days, or by boiling it!

Haven't tried such 'torture' myself, but it could be true.

Dave & Sandra
11th January 2005, 03:22 PM
Now, now - you're just frightening people. :laugh

We found a fairly big one in our pond. We presumed it slipped on the plastic lining and drowned. It was either that or old age. :laugh :laugh I thought it was a scorpion at first.

Sandra

chuchi
11th January 2005, 04:09 PM
Beach Kiwi,

I'm really going to get a heart attack when I see one... :mrgreen:
Quite interesting though.

Thanks for the link!

They look like crustaceans (just like what Jinkee said a few posts back).

Beach Kiwi
11th January 2005, 05:06 PM
Now, now - you're just frightening people. :laugh


Well, this site (http://www.wildaboutnz.co.nz/mainsite/Weta.html) and others recount the same story. :yes

Beach Kiwi
11th January 2005, 05:10 PM
Beach Kiwi,

I'm really going to get a heart attack when I see one... :mrgreen:
Quite interesting though.



Like I said before, they don't do anything startling when you come across them, but their shear size can give you a fright if you stumble across one. Even I thought one that got inside was a mouse at first! :mrgreen:

Timbo
12th January 2005, 05:57 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/pengy2/Bug.bmp

Its not a Weta, but a pretty impressive bug all the same.
Any clues as to why picture will not post?

Beach Kiwi
12th January 2005, 07:27 AM
It could be that you can't post bitmap images here, or that you've selected the wrong linking option in your Photobucket account.

Timbo
12th January 2005, 07:32 AM
Thanks Beach Kiwi, I never noticed it was bitmap until you mentioned it (obviously not my own pic).
The packhorse was caught up your way in Mercury bay, and was apparently released after photos.

Beach Kiwi
12th January 2005, 07:38 AM
The packhorse was caught up your way in Mercury bay...

We call them Crayfish over here - don't know why, though. :?

Moorf
12th January 2005, 11:30 AM
Do they just scuttle or, as they are related to grasshoppers, do they jump...? I can handle the scuttling.. but if something that size jumps... :eek

Wannaway
12th January 2005, 01:19 PM
Well I am rather relieved now I see the pictures because I think we have had 2 in our house since we moved in . We were hoping they were not cockroaches!! :eek :eek :eek

Hubby is terrified of bugs and the size of them is a shocker! He discovered the first in the bag of Xmas wrapping paper that had been in the garage. He absolutely freaked when he saw something scuttle away. I had to come to the rescue and suck it up in the hoover.

Then I found another yesterday by my slippers :eek :eek :eek . It was on it's back and wriggling a bit. Couldn't see it properly but could see enough to know it was the same thing as before. I had had the house sprayed for flies and spiders (for hubby's sake!) that day and wonder if the creature had got a bit high on it. Anyway he joined his mate in my hoover bag. I have to say I am dreading changing the bag!!!
Nicky

Beach Kiwi
12th January 2005, 02:25 PM
Do they just scuttle or, as they are related to grasshoppers, do they jump...? I can handle the scuttling.. but if something that size jumps... :eek

Well, they don't really scuttle, it's more like walking insect-style. :mrgreen:

As to jumping, they sort of hop sometimes, as they are too heavy to actually jump. They move quite quickly when they get the urge, but it's not lightning fast.

Beach Kiwi
12th January 2005, 02:36 PM
Anyway he joined his mate in my hoover bag. I have to say I am dreading changing the bag!!!


There's a good chance they're still alive, especially the one that was in the garage - in fact, they may have even escaped from the hoover! :yes Actually, you should just empty the hoover in the garden? :nice1

Anyway, you really should just pick them up with a stick or something, as they are quite co-operative about getting on such objects. Just manouver (sp?) the stick under it slowly, and you shouldn't have any trouble. Sure, they look fearsome, but they can't hurt you - well, apart from the nip a male might give you with its mandibles. ;) :mrgreen:

Diny
12th January 2005, 06:22 PM
Quote:

Anyway, you really should just pick them up with a stick or something

Or of course - the more appealing option, take said stick and whack the critters with it !!!!

Diny

chuchi
12th January 2005, 06:45 PM
would anyone know the maori term for "many many weta"? i read it somewhere but i cant find it anymore.

Beach Kiwi
13th January 2005, 06:26 AM
would anyone know the maori term for "many many weta"?

It's putaputaweta. :nice1

One thing about Wetas is they're not 'dirty' like cockroaches, as they are vegetarian, although they occasionally eat other insects, so you don't need to worry about getting germs from them. :cool

Lil
13th January 2005, 08:46 AM
Would someone please let me know how to pronounce Weta, it's just that I wouldn't like to embarrass myself by screaming the wrong name whilst I hyperventilate.

Is it "WITTER", WETTER or WEATER".

Moorf
13th January 2005, 08:49 AM
I'll just stick to the 4 letter words I KNOW I can pronounce!!

:laugh

Beach Kiwi
13th January 2005, 09:38 AM
Would someone please let me know how to pronounce Weta, it's just that I wouldn't like to embarrass myself by screaming the wrong name whilst I hyperventilate.

Is it "WITTER", WETTER or WEATER".

You pronounce it pretty much the way it's spelt. :cool

I guess wet-ar would be the written way of pronouncing it.

Diny
13th January 2005, 10:29 AM
Pronounce it as in ..... how wet something is.

In other words ........

Your weather is 'wetter' than ours.

This is getting silly eh :uhoh

Diny

Beach Kiwi
13th January 2005, 10:59 AM
Your weather is 'wetter' than ours.

It's a Maori word, so the 'a' sounds like 'ah', not 'er'.

This is getting silly eh :uhoh

Diny

Pronouncing Maori words the way they want them pronounced is the only acceptable way to do it now. ;)

Political correctness is the best! :nice1

;) ;) ;)

jo b
13th January 2005, 09:02 PM
That's it

I have decided


You lot are all MAD.

Moorf your 4 letter words quote had me rolling around. But I have got a wierd sense of humour.

Diny the stick thing brought so many funny images in my head.

God we could write a sitcom from this forum...................in fact I think I have said that before.

Jo

Diny
13th January 2005, 09:19 PM
You're right - this is totally mad.

Beach Kiwi .... we're back to the 'how things look in writing' thing.

Personaly I pronounce wetter as 'wetta' - regardless how it's spelt.
:laugh

However - abit further down the M6 from us - reaching Birmingham - I guess they would pronounce it wetter.

Any of the critters who find themselves in my house will be pronounced dead.

How's that for political correctness :nice1

Diny

Jules
5th March 2005, 08:14 AM
Sorry folks but I just had to bring this subject up again :roll:

It started last night :eek .

Steve and myself were outside having a fag, it was dark (are you getting the picture?), looking at all the lovely stars, when OMG, I saw something by the side of Steve foot :eek :eek . I shouted, 'there is a spider or something by your foot', he moved and this BIG BIG thing flew up towards the light (are you still getting the picture?) I ran inside (with my fag still on), Steve ran around the patio :laugh :laugh , he came inside and grabbed his camera to try and get a photo, I switched the outside light on and it went barmy flying at the light. Anyway, Steve said 'thats a Weta', I replied 'I didnt think they where flying insects' (me still inside, Steve outside taking photos). Then he shouted 'get me a newspaper', I thought, what does he want to read a newspaper for with that thing outside :? . Anyway, it had dropped into a plant pot which sits on our patio and he had put the newspaper over it, so what it was we dont know, it was like a giant moth like thing with an armoured shell, very scary :eek

I assume it is still in the plant pot the paper is still on top. Steve is at work at the moment so I am not going to find out :eek . I will get him to post a photo of it if they are any good.

Got any ideas what it could have been?

Jules

Beach Kiwi
5th March 2005, 09:40 AM
Wetas do not fly. It sounds more like a Cicada, which you probably woke up. :mrgreen:

Jules
5th March 2005, 09:48 AM
No Beach Kiwi it definately wasnt a Cicada, we have had loads of them!!!

It was about three/four times bigger than a cicada :eek

Jules

Hannah-NL
5th March 2005, 09:54 AM
Here's a page with some nice CLOSE up pics: http://johnbokma.com/weta/

Beach Kiwi
5th March 2005, 10:49 AM
It was about three/four times bigger than a cicada :eek


The Cicadas I have around me are up to 5 cm long, and 1 cm wide. Are you sure it wasn't a bat?

Just kidding, although NZ does have a native bat! :nice1

Anyway, have a look through the pages of this website (http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biodiversity/invertebratesprog/invertid/) and you might find what you're looking for. :cool

Dave & Sandra
5th March 2005, 12:10 PM
Just this morning I was standing outside with my hand on a fence when I felt something fall on my hand and it was prickling. I thought it was a twig or something - looked down and there was this 2" long weta on my hand and it was clinging on for dear life. That was the prickling feeling, they have serated legs. I shook my hand and it wouldn't come off so had to knock it off. I was running around yelling and couldn't stop shuddering. They are so horrible. Yuck. It didn't bite though :yes

Diny
5th March 2005, 06:16 PM
Just this morning I was standing outside with my hand on a fence when I felt something fall on my hand and it was prickling. I thought it was a twig or something - looked down and there was this 2" long weta on my hand and it was clinging on for dear life. That was the prickling feeling, they have serated legs. I shook my hand and it wouldn't come off so had to knock it off. I was running around yelling and couldn't stop shuddering. They are so horrible. Yuck. It didn't bite though

Jeeze Sandra ...... I'd have to be in an oxygen tent after that !!!!!

Diny

Jules
6th March 2005, 07:51 AM
Ok people, this is a picture of what we saw the other night :eek :eek It is about 3 inches long. It isnt a cicada as this is much bigger!!!! Unless it is a different species or something.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/redrowe/DSCF1603.jpg


Jules

Hannah-NL
6th March 2005, 09:56 AM
Looks a bit like this, longhorn beetle:
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biodiversity/invertebratesprog/invertid/bug_details.asp?Bu_Id=107

jubjub
6th March 2005, 10:07 AM
I dont care what it is, I dont want to find one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hannah-NL
6th March 2005, 10:29 AM
Looks like it found Jules tho! ;)

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