This amazing/disturbing picture is of a giant weta, a species of cricket native to New Zealand. This particular specimen is the largest ever recorded, and weighs a whopping (for an insect) 71 grams in weight. The giant weta is was eradicated from mainland New Zealandafter being predated on by rats and other small mammals introduced by Europeans.
The pictured giant weta is more specifically a wetapunga or a Little Barrier Island weta, named for the small island on which it is found. This particular specimen was found by adventurer Mark Moffett, who was somehow able to overcome the terror of seeing a bunny-sized bug nibbling away on a carrot.
While we have our own generously proportioned insects in Australia, including the King cricket, the giant weta is far larger even than those. We still have more things that can actually kill you, though (having said that, I wouldn't want to try the patience of Bugs there).
[via The Telegraph]
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