Critter of the Week by Lynette Serjeant https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s New Zealand insects are amazing! en-us 2020-03-08 18:31:59 UTC 2025-10-23 13:00:04 UTC hello@padlet.com http://www.nhc.net.nz/index/insects-new-zealand/tony/618-800.jpg New Zealand is home to many fascinating insects. Last week we studied the Weta as our critter of the week. lynette_serjeant1 https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/456516962 Here is what we learned....
1.  Weta are only found in NZ
2.  Weta have six legs
3.  They have a hard covering called an exoskeleton   
4.  They have two long antenna
5.  They live in the bush or garden or in a cave
6.  They chew holes in manuka trees
7.  They eat wood
8.  Wetas can hide underwater to escape predators.]]> 2020-03-08 18:34:46 UTC https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/456516962 The native cicada is heard throughout the bush on a summer's day lynette_serjeant1 https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/456519116 Cicadas begin their life as an egg under the ground.  They emerge from the soil and begin a short journey to the nearest tree trunk. They waddle over the earth and climb up the trunk.  The male cicada "sings" to the female.  This is to attract her so they can mate.  The male "drums" are on the underside of his abdomen to make this noise.

]]> 2020-03-08 18:43:30 UTC https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/456519116 The Giant Centipede: Wait till I show you the one I found at my place! lynette_serjeant1 https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/475662276
  • NZ Giant Centipedes are not insects because they have lots more legs than 6
  • It grows up to 25 cm in length; it is the largest centipede in New Zealand (find a ruler to see how long that is) 
  • They are found under stones and logs in bush or gardens.  I found mine in the woodpile
  • It is large, fast and venomous and can deliver a poisonous bite using its razor sharp, claw-tipped pincers. 
  • It is a carnivore (eats meat) feeding on insects, spiders, snails, slugs and worms after killing them with a lethal injection of poison. They also kill small lizards
  • They have an enemy.  Rats have reduced the numbers of these giant centipedes. 
  • The female centipedes carry their young to protect them

    • ]]>     2020-03-26 02:12:30 UTC https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/475662276     Giant Centipedes are incredible. Check this out... lynette_serjeant1 https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/475664723 This Giant Centipede lives in America. That's lucky for us!]]> 2020-03-26 02:17:22 UTC https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/475664723 Here is the female with her young lynette_serjeant1 https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/475675028 2020-03-26 02:36:36 UTC https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/475675028 wolf ben_chen1_1 https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/509773316 wolf live in atrica they eat meats . and clever smart ]]> 2020-04-16 02:57:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lynette_serjeant1/q6msktgny43s/wish/509773316