Hemiandrus focalis is a species of ground wÃÂtÃÂ endemic to New Zealand. This flightless orthopteran lives in the mountains of the South Island. The species can be distinguished from other ground wÃÂtÃÂ by their three superior retrolateral spines on their mid tibia and females' long ovipositors. This omnivorous ground wÃÂtÃÂ species is listed as "not threatened" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Hemiandrus focalis was formally placed in the genus Zealandosandrus by Salmon in 1950. The genus Zealandosandrus was formed to separate species with the distinct traits of long ovipositors and the absence of a modified 6th abdominal sternite in female wÃÂtÃÂ. However, this genus is now regarded as synonymous with Hemiandrus', as some ground wÃÂtÃÂ species have intermediate length ovipositers and Hemiandrus focalis has weakly developed paramedian lobes on the female 6th sternite.
This species can be distinguished from other ground wÃÂtÃÂ by their three superior retrolateral spines on their mid tibia and females have relatively long ovipositors. Ovipositor length vary in different ground wÃÂtÃÂ species. Hemiandrus focalis is one of about ten Hemiandrus species with females possessing long ovipositors. The tarsus of H. focalis is also described as bare with only a few erect setae.
All species within the genus Hemiandrus are nocturnal. Individuals of H. focalis are found during the day in soil burrows in native forest or in burrows of stony silts in open habitat. The habitat of Hemiandrus focalis extends into high elevation in the alpine zone above the tree line. This species are distributed across the mountains of New Zealand's South Island and also found present on Codfish Island.
Hemiandrus focalis is one of the Hemiandrus species that has an omnivorous diet. Omnivorous ground wÃÂtÃÂ such as H. maia are found to consume fruits, seeds and other invertebrates.
Hemiandrus focalis lay their eggs in the ground similar to the suborder Ensifera. The long ovipositors in the females suggest that they do not have maternal care. This species may take three years to reach maturity.
Nuptial gifting occurs in Hemiandrus species where the male attaches a spermatophylax with the sperm ampulla onto the female when mating. Although the mating process of the H. focalis has not be recorded specifically, Hemiandrus species with long ovipositors have been recorded to have a spermatophylax attached to the sperm ampulla.
Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Not Threatened". Ground wÃÂtÃÂ are important as they are part of the diet of native kiwi. They are also eaten by introduced mammals in New Zealand such as hedgehogs and stoats.