[4][5][6] This species is an arboreal, herbivorous[7][8][9] generalist however, it is also thought to be polyphagous[10] and is found in all wooded habitats, including forest, scrub and suburban gardens.

[15] The conservation status of H. thoracica is "not threatened"[16][17] however, the chromosome race on Karikari Peninsular (2n=23/24) is listed as "nationally vulnerable".

[18] The Auckland tree wētā, Hemideina thoracica is endemic to New Zealand and has a wide distribution over the northern two-thirds of the North Island.

[19] As a nocturnal and arboreal herbivore[19] this species uses tree cavities to rest and conceal itself in during the day before emerging at night to feed.

[5][6] Like other tree wētā Hemideina thoracica forages arboreally[9] at night, eating mostly leaves and some fruit and seeds from a range of different plants.

[23] However, H. thoracica has poor mate recognition systems and forms sterile hybrids with H. crassidens and H. trewicki where they are sympatric in the southern North Island.

[20] This species is a hemimetabolous insect whose eggs hatch in Spring with a minimum of eight instars required to reach adulthood.

The conservation status of Hemideina thoracica is "not threatened"[16][17] however, the chromosome race on Karikari Peninsular (2n=23/24) is listed as "nationally vulnerable".

[17] Artificial refuges have been used to monitor populations of H. thoracica and H. crassidens[25] and could potentially be used in conservation management of these species by providing available habitat.