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Weta


Weta
Photo Information
Copyright: Sue Way (sway) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 305 W: 85 N: 319] (1276)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-10-01
Categories: Insects
Camera: Sony DSC-F828
Exposure: f/8, 1/50 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-10-01 0:14
Viewed: 14308
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is a baby weta. I found him in my laundry and released him. He let me take some photos of him first.

This one is a male. it does not have a single long ovipositor, it looks a bit like a stinger but is for depositing eggs.

The weta is a member of the order Orthoptera and is a relative of grasshoppers, locusts, katydids, and crickets. Orthoptera means 'straight-winged', however many Orthopterans do not have wings at all, the weta being one such insect. Orthopterans are insects that share the following characteristics (Gibbs, 1998):

* Usually quite large
* Have jumping hind legs
* Are usually herbivorous
* Often, but not always have wings
* Are divided into those with short antennae ('short-horned grasshoppers') and those with very long antennae ('long-horned grasshoppers').

There are two distinct families of weta: Stenopelmatidae (which includes the tree weta, tusked weta, ground weta, and giant weta); and Rhapidophoridae (which includes cave or jumping weta).

There are over 100 species of weta in New Zealand

The weta hatches as a smaller form of the adult (nymph), undergoing up to nine stages of incomplete metamorphosis (exopterygote/ hemimetabolous development), before reaching maturity.

Sorry I don't know what species this little guy belongs to. There are very few pictures of juvenile weta.

PP resized for TN
jeanpaul, miuky, LordPotty has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To wishnugaruda: Thankssway 1 10-04 03:56
To Necipp: THankssway 1 10-04 03:54
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice macro excellent composition and DOF I think I would clone out the kids toys in the back although they seem blured quite well rgds Necip

Hi Sue,
that's a lovely shot, it seems not to be a comfortable place ;-)
I like to see the long antennas, a nice guy.
Also a pretty arrangement, thanks and greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Bonjour Sue
Belle présentation et belle prise en macro avec cette joli saterelle, les couleurs et la nettetée sont très bonnes, belle composition et le Bg est super .
Au revoir et félicitation ....JP
Les sourires demain

  • Great 
  • miuky Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 17 W: 0 N: 17] (180)
  • [2006-12-04 5:54]

Hy Sue
Beautifull colors here, great POV and sharpness...
regards, M.

Tena koe Sue, I followed up your critique re my pic by checking and admiring your work. I love this pic, great detail and colour, a REAL weta, hehe. We have a lot around our property, so far I haven't captured a pic worthy of posting.
Kindest regards

Ted

Hi Sue,
Very strange to see a Weta in daylight at all, let alone on a lavendar, but I know it came from your laundry so ...
... anyway, a nice clear capture.
I'd say this is almost certainly a young cave weta of some type, going by the shape of the body and legs.
These guys usually hang out in hollow trees or crevices in banks in the bush.
Nice patterns on this one.
Cheers, Steve

I think I'd freak if I saw that in my laundry! Nicely composed and quite sharp.

Witaj Sue,
Fantastyczne! Takie bardzo mi sie podobaja. Wspaniala poza owada. Super ostrosc i kolory.
Gratuluje i pozdrawiam - Roma

Sue, beautiful shot of this little creature. Excellent sharpness and detail. Have a great day, greetings from the USA, Bill

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2011-07-29 18:54]

Hello Sue,
this is an exciting view of a cricket. The color contrast is so well seen and the blurry background is so enhancing. I like the off centred composition as the surrounding is more shown.
Very nice scenery of this insect perching on green shoot.

Regards,
Foozi

This is a cave weta (Rhaphidophoridae)

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