Canterbury Critters 

This specimen collected over 130 years ago is thought to be an undescribed species of giant wētā that has gone extinct. It was collected by former Museum curator Captain Frederick Hutton, on a trip up Mt Captain, on his horse which was called Captain. Known only from a single specimen, unfortunately it cannot be given a formal species name because it is a sub-adult female, which means it is not a fully grown reproductive female, and so the features required to identify or describe it are not fully developed. But it is assumed to be a species of giant wētā that was found throughout Canterbury in the past, until human land use change and introduced predators most likely drove it to extinction.

Image: Canterbury giant wētā. Canterbury Museum 2007.164.142

Hadramphus tuberculatus

This beautiful beetle has a turbulent history. First it was found. Then it was thought to be extinct. It was then found again and is now designated as critically endangered. The larvae only feed on the parsnip-like roots of speargrass (Aciphylla) which used to be found throughout the Waitaha Canterbury region. The loss of speargrass due to farming together with introduced predators, left the species critically endangered. They have not been seen in Christchurch since about 1910. 

They were thought to have gone extinct in the 1920s but a surprise 2004 find in Burkes Pass by University of Canterbury student Laura Young means that we still have a chance to stop their extinction. A reserve has been dedicated to their protection, but unfortunately their numbers still appear to be declining. In 2011, there were estimated to be fewer than 100 individuals left. This is one of seven specimens of Canterbury knobbled weevil in Canterbury Museum.

Image: Canterbury knobbled weevil. Canterbury Museum 2007.164.142

Brachaspis robustus

One of New Zealand’s most endangered grasshopper species, the robust grasshopper has a grey-body which camouflages it from birds against the stony riverbeds where they are found. Despite this, it is easy prey for introduced predators such as hedgehogs which hunt using smell rather than sight.

The robust grasshopper is now known to survive only in the Tekapo, Pukaki and Ōhau river catchments in the Mackenzie Basin. Ongoing research has led to innovative conservation measures to save it from extinction. This includes a predator-proof fence built specifically for the robust grasshopper in the 44-hectare “Tekapo Triangle”, just south of Tekapo township. This is probably the first hedgehog and stoat-proof fence in the world designed specifically to help protect an endangered grasshopper.

Image: Robust grasshopper. Canterbury Museum 2007.166.2335

Exsul singularis

It is easy to see how this unique and spectacular fly got its name. Male bat winged flies have enlarged and darkly pigmented wings resembling those of a bat. This species is endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. Living in the sub-alpine landscape, it can be found from northern Fiordland to the Paparoa Range. Here, the dark colour of their wings allows the insect to soak up as much warmth as possible from the sun so they can remain active even at low temperatures. Sometimes groups of these flies can be found sitting on rocks basking in the sun, but you do need to know where to look. Very little is known about their life history or ecology.

Image: Bat winged fly. Canterbury Museum 2007.221.94

Kupea electilis

Unique in the moth world, this species is also highly endangered. It lives only on Kaitorete Spit on the eastern side of Waihora (Lake Ellesmere). The larvae of Kupe’s grass moth live underground most of the year, feeding on the roots of native twitch grass (Zoysia minima). The larva creates a sock-like store from sand grains and silk just below the surface, keeping root material for food in the colder months. Kupe’s grass moth adults emerge between mid-March and mid-May, during which time they mate. The female lays the eggs and then the adults die. Females have reduced wings and do not fly, but males can sustain flight for limited periods. This allows them to locate females for mating. Because it is confined to a unique habitat, and has a relatively immobile life cycle, Kupe’s grass moth is at risk of population decline. This risk has been exacerbated in recent years by animal grazing and land development.

Image: Kupe's grass moth. Image: Jane Ussher. Canterbury Museum 2007.214.362