Selwyn Times: February 21, 2017

SELWYN TIMES Tuesday February 28 2017 13
Backyard critters
Watch out for weta
Mike Bowie is
an ecologist
who
specialises in
entomology
(insects and other
invertebrates). Each
week he introduces a
new species found in
his backyard at Lincoln.
His column aims to
raise public awareness
of biodiversity, the
variety of living things
around us
WETA ARE New Zealand’s
insect icons and as many as 120
species are known here.
They are close relatives to
crickets and grasshoppers, and
are flightless. Most weta are vegetarians,
eating leaves and berries
but may also eat small insects.
One weta species that most
people have in their backyard are
cave weta.
Contrary to their name, not
all cave weta live in caves. Rather
they live in cool, dark, moist
places and come out to feed or
look for a mate at night.
They have large antennae to
help sense their way around and
ICONIC INSECT: Contrary to their name, cave weta live in many
places other than caves, including gardens. ​
long legs for escaping predators.
Females have what looks like
a ‘stinger’ at their rear. This is
actually an egg-laying appendage
called an ovipositor. The ovipositor
is inserted into soft soil where
their eggs are laid.
Cave weta are often found in
wood heaps as they often live
under bark, in cracks or holes of
trees.
Artificial refuges called weta
motels can be constructed to
encourage them into the garden,
where this weta was found.
That’s it for this week, remember
there are 38 days to go until
Lincoln’s Bioblitz, a race to count
as many different species as possible
in 24 hours.
•See https://lincolnbioblitz.
eventbrite.co.nz for more information
or to register.
•Specimens collected by
Mike Bowie will be logged
online at http://naturewatch.
org.nz. This is a place where
you can share what you see
in nature, set up a citizenscience
monitoring project
and learn about our natural
history. The programme
allows you to load photos
of your specimen and you
can ask for identification by
experts.
HURLING FOOTWEAR: Mac Thomson, Tessa Williams and
Sara-Jane Back were looking forward to throwing gumboots in
a world record attempt today. ​
Lincoln targets gumboot
throwing world record
IT IS hoped about 500 people
will bring their gumboots
along to Lincoln University this
morning to help set a Guinness
World Record.
The Lincoln University
Students’ Association will
try to set the world record for
the number of people taking
part in a gumboot throwing
competition.
Lincoln is looking to take
the record back from Massey
University which claimed it last
year with 478 people involved.
Lincoln had previously set the
record in 2013 with 348.
Association vice-president
Tessa Williams said it was
hoped 500 people would take
part in The Great Gumboot Toss
event, which is due to take place
today at 11am on the university
sports’ fields.
“Everyone is welcome. We
have it set up through Guinness
World Records so it will be
official,” Ms Williams said.
“There will a chance to have a
bit of practice around 10.30am
and afterwards there will be the
South Island gumboot throwing
championships, so if you find
a bit of hidden talent you could
have a go at that.”
Distance was not important
for the record attempt.
“We all just get together and
give it a hurl,” Ms Williams
said.
ALL SECTIONS COME FULLY FENCED WITH FIBRE TO YOUR
BOUNDARY AND FREE, SITE-SPECIFIC GEOTECH REPORTS!
BALANCE DUE JUNE 2017
To secure your section call Deane on 0274 352 384
or visit our Sales Office 37 Vernon Drive,
turn off Gerald Street by the New World.
Open 12-4pm Weds-Sun.
liveinlincoln.co.nz
Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – For us and our children after us