Hemiandrus brucei

Previously encompassed under Hemiandrus maculifrons, H. brucei is similar in appearance but genetically distinct. [1] H. brucei is named in memory of Briar Taylor-smiths grandfather, Bruce Edwin Smith. [1]

Hemiandrus brucei is found in native forests in the North Island and northern South Island of New Zealand and is often sympatric with other wētā species.[1] Having such a broad range is uncharacteristic of most ground wētā, which are often endemic to very small areas.[2]

Hemiandrus brucei has a high level of morphological variation.[1] The head and body of H. brucei is mostly brown but sometimes with small pale patches on the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the pronotum.[1] H. brucei has fine microsetae on the three apical segments of the maxillary palps; four spines on the inferior retro lateral angle of the mid tibiae; a single inferior articulated spine on the hind tibiae; males with a 'V' or 'U' shaped apical margin on the subgenital plate, blunt cerci, and ninth abdominal termite with two obtuse curved lobes; females with a long, gently curved ovipositor.[1]

Hemiandrus brucei is classified as Not Threatened in the New Zealand Threat Classification System.[3]

• Taylor-Smith, BL; Trewick, SA; & Morgan-Richards, M (2016). Three new ground wētā species and a redescription of Hemiandrus maculifrons. New Zealand Journal of Zoology.
• Type specimen: adult female; March 2012; BL Taylor-Smith; deposited at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa[1]
• Paratype: adult male, same collection data as holotype; deposited at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa[1]
• Type location: Collected from the Kahuterawa Valley, Wellington −40.47190°, 175.61417° [1]