Are there differences in behaviour between the two colour morphs of the mountain stone wētā, Hemideina maori?

Abstract

ABSTRACT A robust understanding of an organism’s behavioural and ecological characteristics is an integral part of conservation; unfortunately, many of New Zealand’s native insect fauna still show a degree of data deficiency in these areas. Predator avoidance behaviours are one such area, and where there are colour morphs in New Zealand native and threatened insects, potential differences in the behaviour of these morphs can often be under investigated. The mountain stone wētā (Hemideina maori) possesses two distinct colour morphs, melanic and yellow, though the reason for this distinction is unclear. This study uses laboratory based assays to compare the behaviour of the morphs, including activity, refuge seeking, cohabitation, emergence and defensive behaviour. We observed emergence and cohabitation regularly, used video recordings to assay activity and refuge seeking behaviours, and measured defensive behaviours by probing individuals until a defensive response was displayed. Differences in all tested behaviours between colour morphs were non-significant; however, there were significant differences in defensive behaviour between sexes. We also discuss how defensive behaviours of H. maori compare with another tree wētā. Overall, the colour morphs in H. maori are similar in their predator responses and there may be a driving factor for melanism other than predation pressure. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D54E864D-844F-4619-84E6-44BBAC1DE4E5