Hemiandrus brucei is a species of ground wētā in the family Anostostomatidae endemic to Aotearoa/New Zealand.[1] They are nocturnal and found in forests in the North Island and northern South Island.[1]
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 Aotearoa/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]
Hemiandrus brucei is a species of ground wētā in the family Anostostomatidae endemic to Aotearoa/New Zealand. They are nocturnal and found in forests in the North Island and northern South Island.
