Cook Strait Giant Weta vs Mercury Islands Tusked Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Cook Strait Giant Weta	Mercury Islands Tusked Weta
Scientific Name	Deinacrida rugosa	Motuweta isolata
Order	Orthoptera	Orthoptera
Family	Anostostomatidae	Anostostomatidae
Size	60-70 mm body length	40-50 mm body
Habitat	Beaches & Coastal	Beaches & Coastal
Diet	Fruit Feeders	Seed Feeders
Regions	Oceania	Oceania
Conservation	Vulnerable	Vulnerable

Cook Strait Giant Weta

One of the heaviest insects in the world, endemic to New Zealand. It is a nocturnal insect that hides in crevices and under logs during the day.

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Did You Know?

Giant weta can weigh over 70 grams, making them heavier than a house sparrow and one of the heaviest insects on Earth.

Mercury Islands Tusked Weta

One of New Zealands rarest insects, found only on Middle Mercury Island. Males have curved tusks on their mandibles used in territorial combat with rivals.

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Did You Know?

This weta is so rare it was not discovered until 1970, living on a single 13-hectare island — males have tusks protruding from their jaws, unique among weta species.