Bearded Robber Fly vs Mount Cook Giant Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bearded Robber Fly | Mount Cook Giant Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Machimus atricapillus | Deinacrida pluvialis |
| Order | Diptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Asilidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 45-65 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island, Westland) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Bearded Robber Fly
A common European robber fly with a prominent mystax (facial beard) of bristles that protect its face during prey capture. It hunts from perches on bare ground and low vegetation.
Did You Know?
Its dense facial beard of stiff bristles acts as a protective cage, shielding its eyes from the thrashing legs of captured prey.
Mount Cook Giant Weta
A rare alpine giant weta restricted to high-altitude zones in the western ranges of the South Island. It inhabits subalpine scrub and tussock. Like other alpine weta, it has evolved remarkable freeze tolerance.
Did You Know?
Despite its common name, this weta is more commonly found in the mountain ranges of Westland rather than near Aoraki/Mount Cook itself.