| Cook Strait Giant Weta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Range | New Zealand |
| Scientific Classification | |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Orthoptera |
| Family | Anostostomatidae |
| Genus | Deinacrida |
| Species | D. rugosa |
| Conservation Status | |
 Vulnerable | |
The Cook Strait giant weta (Deinacrida rugosa) is a species of insect in the family Anostostomatidae. The scientific name "Deinacrida" means "terrible grasshopper" and "rugosa" means "wrinkled". It is endemic to New Zealand.
Description[]
The Cook Strait giant weta is one of the largest insects in the world, reaching up to 7 centimetres (2.8 in) long. The brownish-yellow body is bulky and heavily armoured, with the upper surface covered by a series of thickened, overlapping plates, which have black markings. Relative to the size of the head, the jaws are large, and the elongated hind legs have five or six large spines, and can be raised above the head in defence. The female is significantly larger than the male, and both sexes lack wings. Chinese Sturgeon