Thirty-five-year-old Al Check has never been nipped by a weta but by the end of February it could be a different story.
The Lincoln University Bachelor of Science student is spending 10 weeks over summer at Mount Somers in mid-Canterbury looking for a rare weta that lives there. Discovered in the 1950s, the bluff weta (Deinacrida elegans) is known only at Mt Somers and in the Marlborough/Kaikoura area.
As the recipient of a $5000 summer scholarship through the University’s Bio-Protection and Ecology Division, Al will search day and night for these shy nocturnal creatures. They have red, white and black legs and an olive body and fully grown easily cover the palm of an adult’s hand.
“To me the prehistoric characteristics of such a large insect are just awesome. It’s like a miniature dinosaur running up your arm,” says Al.
Finding the weta is not expected to be easy. They live in inaccessible bluffs and rock outcrops so some abseiling off climbing routes will be required. When he finds them, Al will note their exact location and try to catch them without getting bitten or harming the weta. He will then measure, weigh and band them so they can be identified if caught again in the future.
“They move around and may use different sites as a defensive strategy to avoid predation so we set out tracking tunnels in likely spots to help us identify if this species of weta is present. The tunnels include a piece of card with ink at the entrance and a blob of peanut butter at the other end. The weta walk across the ink and leave their prints behind.”
Al will also examine the gut and excrement of predators to see if weta are on their menu.
“I don’t know how many we will find but for the species sake, I hope it’s lots. Very little is known about this species and its behaviours so hopefully we can make a difference by assessing the risk of the population and making some recommendations for its future survival.”
Al may undertake postgraduate research when he completes his degree majoring in ecology and conservation. Otherwise he will pursue plans to do conservation work or environmental education.
“Since I was a kid insects have fascinated me, it’s like a different world. I’m also interested in all aspects of the natural environment and conserving and restoring New Zealand’s vulnerable flora and fauna. Having the opportunity to be part of a research project that includes field work in a cool place, some laboratory work and getting the old grey matter linking what I learnt during my studies to this project is exciting.”
About the Bio-Protection and Ecology Division
The Bio-Protection and Ecology Division is responsible for teachingand researchin a large number of areas including: Agro-ecology; Biocontrol; Biodiversity; Bio-Protection and Biosecurity; Conservation, Wildlife and Invasion Biology; Entomology; Fungal Genetics; Molecular Systematics; Plant Pathology; and Urban, Forest and Behavioural Ecology. The division has a large research infrastructure with a range of advanced facilities and equipment. Many of its staff are also members of the National Centre for Advanced Bio-Protection Technologies, a campus-based Centre of Research Excellence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins
Communications Group
Lincoln University
Tel: +64 3 325 2811 ext 8549
Mobile: 021 02449637
Email: Ian Collins