Banks Peninsula Tree Weta vs Hooded Leaf Katydid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banks Peninsula Tree Weta | Hooded Leaf Katydid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemideina ricta | Phyllophorella queenslandica |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Tettigoniidae |
| Size | 35-50 mm | 30-45 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Forests |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - Banks Peninsula) | Queensland, Australia |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Banks Peninsula Tree Weta
The rarest tree weta in New Zealand, restricted to Banks Peninsula near Christchurch. It was not described as a distinct species until 1993. Habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals have reduced its population to critically low levels.
Did You Know?
This weta was only recognised as its own species in 1993, having been overlooked among the more common Canterbury tree weta for over a century.
Hooded Leaf Katydid
An Australian katydid with a dramatically expanded pronotum that covers its head like a hood. The entire body mimics a curled or overlapping set of leaves.
Did You Know?
Its oversized hood-shaped pronotum is one of the most extreme examples of leaf mimicry in katydids.