Brown Locust vs Mahoenui Giant Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Brown Locust | Mahoenui Giant Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Locustana pardalina | Deinacrida mahoenui |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Acrididae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 30-45 mm | Body 50-70 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Forests |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | South Africa (Karoo region), Namibia | New Zealand |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Brown Locust
A medium-sized brown locust endemic to southern Africa that periodically swarms in the Karoo region. Nymphs are known as voetgangers (foot walkers).
Did You Know?
Swarms of brown locusts have plagued South African farmers since the 1700s and remain a major agricultural threat.
Mahoenui Giant Weta
A critically threatened giant weta originally surviving in a single patch of introduced gorse scrub. It is brown with lighter banding and is largely arboreal.
Did You Know?
Ironically, the invasive gorse bush has protected this weta from predators by providing spiny refuge.