Emerald Ash Borer vs Weta Piki (Jumping Weta)
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Emerald Ash Borer | Weta Piki (Jumping Weta) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Agrilus planipennis | Hemiandrus pallitarsis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Buprestidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Asia, North America (invasive) | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Emerald Ash Borer
One of the most destructive invasive insects in North America. Native to Asia, it has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees since its detection in Michigan in 2002.
Did You Know?
The emerald ash borer has killed over 100 million ash trees in North America — the economic damage exceeds $10 billion and threatens to eliminate an entire tree genus.
Weta Piki (Jumping Weta)
A small ground weta endemic to New Zealand, found in forest leaf litter. It is nocturnal and burrows into the soil during the day. Ground weta are the most species-rich group of weta, with many species still being discovered and described.
Did You Know?
New species of ground weta are still being discovered in New Zealand, with more than 40 species now known, many identified only in the last two decades.