Bert Miller Nature Club

November 16, 2009

Biologist Darryl Gywnne, guest speaker at the Bert Miller Nature Club Monday, Nov. 16th, 2009. spoke about the amazing world of the giant insect, the Weta. "They are amazing insects. I am privileged to work in some of the conservations areas of New Zealand." He said mice and other introduced mammals are "Northern Nasties" on the islands in Southern New Zealand.

He began this area of research as his wife is from New Zealand, and the southern island is now his home away from home, where he and his graduate students work and a study of three species of weta including the world's largest insect.

These nocturnal insects, the weta, were found by him first in his wife's New Zealand backyard. Darryl showed a pair of these small wets. He showed the female with a sperm package attached to her genitalia of these little ground weta. He showed us the amazing Giant weta and the Tree weta. He studied all three groups of weta found on the island.

Over his years of research he found distinct differences in the mating patterns of the three groups. These insects are related to our crickets and katydids. Not just restricted to New Zealand they are found in the Southern hemisphere from South Africa, Madagascar. Australia to New Zealand. He showed us a Tusk weta. The male only has these enlarged mandibles with which they fight other males. He then concentrated on the three species found on his research island. It was amazing research presentation richly laced with colourful anecdotes. The speaker entertained many questions after his excellent talk.

Earl Plato, recorder.