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Here, we identify current high-priority issues in New Zealand entomology. These ‘critical issues’ were defined by being of national entomological interest, and in urgent need of research or attention. The issues were derived in consultation with the Entomological Society of New Zealand members and as part of a workshop at the 62nd New Zealand Entomological Society Conference. We present a list of nine priority areas (presented here without any ranking priority). These areas are: 1. conserving indigenous invertebrate diversity; 2. limiting predator pressure exerted by exotic vertebrate predators; 3. limiting the effects of invasive invertebrates, especially Vespula wasps in honeydew beech forests; understanding the influence of pesticides and pathogens on honey bees; 4. maintaining and enhancing efficient biosecurity systems to keep out invasive pests and diseases; 5. enhancing support for taxonomy; 6. enhancing entomological teaching, training and support for entomology graduates; 7. utilising the hidden ...

Giant weta (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) are large flightless New Zealand insects in the genus Deinacrida. They usually survive in the absence of introduced rats and many have now been transferred to islands and areas after rodent eradications. One such transfer of the Cook Strait giant weta, D. rugosa was made from Mana Island to Matiu-Somes Island in 1996 and we investigated the sex ratio, morphometrics, growth, distribution, habitat use, nocturnal activity pattern and incidence of natural injury in February, May, September and December 2007 and February 2008. Most weta found were adults (82%), more adult females (74%) were seen than males but more male juveniles (61%) were seen than females. Weta from Matiu-Somes Island had slightly longer metatibiae than those from Mana Island. Cohorts of different-sized insects become larger in most successive samples indicating a 2-year development period following eclosion. Adults were always present but were most frequently seen in February when the smallest juve...