The largest insect

Huge grasshopper - giant ueta, are endemic to New Zealand. In nature, there are 11 species of giant ueta, most of which are much more than those depicted in the pictures.

Giant ueta gladly eats a carrot

Ueta very heavy insects with a body length of 10 cm, not including their long legs and antennae, they weigh more than 71 grams, making them one of the insects in the world of heavy and heavier than a sparrow. Their generic name in Greek means "terrible grasshopper", found mainly in New Zealand, offshore islands.

Almost all of them are wingless. Externally, they are somewhat similar to a large brown grasshopper, but its hind legs are enlarged and covered with large thorns. During insect protection with the force throws them in front of him and tries to hurt the attacker.

But the reason for the development of gigantism among these insects? These "living fossils" (yes, they have very ancient origins) were in the area of ​​New Zealand, before it became an isolated archipelago. At that time there were no small mammals - the main enemy ueta, and they occupied their niche.

Ueta well adapted to living in any environment, whether it be forest, field, cave, ground, or city parks. They are nocturnal. Most of these giants are predators, but feed on giant ueta lichens, leaves, flowers and fruits.

These insects bring substantial benefit to the development of the flora of New Zealand - they are actively involved in spreading the seeds of native plants by eating their fruit.

Puberty is a giant ueta comes only to one and a half years. Over time the female lays the ground about 200-300 eggs, then dies after a while. At first glance, the number of eggs is a rather big.

But now marked reduction in the number of these insects. The main reason for this outrage is to destroy the giant ueta small mammals and rodents, introduced to the islands by man.