Insects of New Zealand

The weta is one of the world's most ancient species still living, with little change in 190 million years. New Zealand has the world's most different weta fauna of 70 endemic species. Seven Deinacrida species of rat-sized giant weta that have survived on offshore islands reach mammoth insect proportions - up to 150mm in length, taking the place of small rodents in the mammal-free ecology. A Little Barrier giant weta D. heteracantha has weighed 71g which is heavier than a thrush. It is the heaviest insect in the world.

Australian spider was first recorded in 1886. It is believed that it came into the country with early colonists and is now well established throughout the North Island. Another species is also known from Nelson and has recently been found in Christchurch. For many years the White-tailed spider was thought to be just the one species Lampona cylindrata but a recent revision of Australasian Lamponidae found that there were 61 species in Australia and just the two mentioned here occur in New Zealand.

The main issue is that a patient has actually been bitten by a White-tail. In the majority of cases, there is no clear evidence a spider was responsible. Sometimes a spider is seen around the place. while in other cases it has been assumed it was a White-tail bite, either by medical personnel or the patient.