Canterbury Tree Weta vs Achilles Morpho

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Canterbury Tree Weta Achilles Morpho
Scientific Name Hemideina femorata Morpho achilles
Order Orthoptera Lepidoptera
Family Anostostomatidae Nymphalidae
Size Body 35-40 mm 95-120 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fruit Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions New Zealand Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Canterbury Tree Weta

A medium-sized tree weta found in the eastern South Island of New Zealand. It has dark brown banding on the abdomen and is active on cool nights.

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Did You Know?

It can remain active at temperatures close to freezing, unlike most other large insects.

Achilles Morpho

A medium-sized morpho with a bright blue band across dark brown-black wings. It flies rapidly through the forest understory in a distinctive bobbing pattern.

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Did You Know?

Its blue band appears to flash on and off as it flies, because the brown undersides show with each wingbeat.