Massive insect found in New Zealand

This is a very great find and an amazing moment in entomology, but the news' take on it is grossly misinformed. You can say "I told you so" now International media are calling it the biggest weta ever found, but New Zealand experts are urging them to get a sense of perspective. American researcher Mark Moffett fed a carrot to a giant weta on a recent visit to New Zealand's Little Barrier Island and the meeting has turned into major news in the Northern Hemisphere. Pictures of the weta, or wetapunga, and its carrot have featured on websites around the world with headings including, "World's big... [More]

You can say "I told you so" now Never! I am glad that more info came to light, but I do believe that the insect world should get more spotlight time. How about we call it a publicity event? haha. Much respect.

Never! I am glad that more info came to light, but I do believe that the insect world should get more spotlight time. How about we call it a publicity event? haha. Much respect. Or we could call it an eye opener! It's still interesting to know there are insects like this one around

Or we could call it an eye opener! It's still interesting to know there are insects like this one around I'll agree, always something to learn these days, especially with so much information flying through the intertubes.

The weta are flightless, they have no wings. These things are quite docile, hence why he was able to pick it up and feed it. I've had a Wellington Tree Weta crawl up my arm and it felt like someone was dragging sharp velcro up it. That is what I thought. I was wondering why the article said that they had 11 inch(?) wingspan. Shows poor editing to me. The pictures show they have no wings for goodness sake.

It would make one heck of a crunch if you stepped on it -

That is what I thought. I was wondering why the article said that they had 11 inch(?) wingspan. Shows poor editing to me. The pictures show they have no wings for goodness sake. Well, the giant wetas have no wings. Some of the smaller, more common species do have them, seeing as they are related to grasshoppers. But most prefer to crawl around on the ground anyway. Besides, people who say these gentle giants are scary are kidding themselves. Cave wetas are terrifying. Such wings on creatures would be fairly useless anyway, as keeping in line with NZ's policy of avian flightlessness.

It would make one heck of a crunch if you stepped on it - OMFG PMSL still..... :lol:

Ooh, land-lobster! Endangered? Aww, nuts! Still, with a bit of butter and dill...

It's an insect. And I'm sure the locals wouldn't be partial to having foreigners eating endangered insects.