Japanese Bell Cricket vs New Zealand Cave Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Bell Cricket New Zealand Cave Weta
Scientific Name Meloimorpha japonica Pachyrhamma edwardsii
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Gryllidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 15-22 mm 20-40 mm
Habitat Underground Caves
Diet Herbivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Japan, China, Korea New Zealand
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Japanese Bell Cricket

A small brown cricket revered in Japanese culture for its beautiful tinkling bell-like song. It has been bred and sold as a singing pet for over a thousand years.

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Did You Know?

Emperor-era Japanese nobles held "insect listening" parties specifically to enjoy this cricket's song.

New Zealand Cave Weta

A large cave weta found throughout New Zealand's North Island caves. It has massive hind legs and can grow quite large.

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Did You Know?

Weta are sometimes called the 'mice of New Zealand' for their ecological role.