Common Clubtail Dragonfly vs Banks Peninsula Tree Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Clubtail Dragonfly | Banks Peninsula Tree Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ictinogomphus ferox | Hemideina ricta |
| Order | Odonata | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gomphidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 55-65 mm body length | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) | Oceania (New Zealand - Banks Peninsula) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Common Clubtail Dragonfly
A large, boldly marked black and yellow dragonfly with a distinctly clubbed abdomen tip. It is a powerful flier that perches prominently on vegetation overlooking water.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most voracious aerial predators among East African dragonflies, often catching prey nearly as large as itself.
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.