[1] Previously encompassed under Hemiandrus maculifrons, A. brucei is similar in appearance but genetically distinct.

[2] Anderus brucei is named in memory of Briar Taylor-Smith's grandfather, Bruce Edwin Smith.

[1] Having such a broad range is uncharacteristic of most ground wētā, which are often endemic to very small areas.

[1] The head and body of A. brucei is mostly brown but sometimes with small pale patches on the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the pronotum.

[1] Anderus 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.