Hemideina thoracica

Description

Hemideina thoracica, commonly known as the Auckland tree weta, is a weta of the family Anostostomatidae. It is found in New Zealand, over most of the North Island, except for the Wellington area and regions above 900 metres above sea level. This arboreal, herbivorous generalist is found in all wooded habitats, including forest, scrub and suburban gardens. Hemideina thoracica is morphologically uniform but chromosomally polymorphic. It comprises at least eight chromosomal races with diploid numbers from 2n = 11 (XO) to 2n = 23 (XO). There are hybrid zones where some of the chromosomal races meet. The species was first described by Adam White in 1846. The conservation status of Hemideina thoracica is "not threatened" but the chromosome race on Karikari Peninsular (2n=23/24) is listed as "nationally vunerable".