Japanese Katydid vs Cave Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Katydid Cave Weta
Scientific Name Gampsocleis buergeri Gymnoplectron acanthocerum
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Tettigoniidae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 40-55 mm 30-50 mm body
Habitat Rivers & Streams Indoors
Diet Omnivores Fungus Feeders
Regions Japan, Korea, China Oceania
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Japanese Katydid

A large green katydid with a robust body and powerful jaws found across Japan. Its loud evening chirping song is one of the defining sounds of the Japanese summer.

💡

Did You Know?

It has been kept as a singing pet in Japan for centuries, with elaborate bamboo cages made for it.

Cave Weta

A large cave-dwelling weta endemic to New Zealand with extremely long antennae up to three times its body length. Uses its antennae to navigate in complete darkness.

💡

Did You Know?

Cave wetas have antennae so long they can span a cave entrance like a trip wire — detecting predators and prey in pitch darkness using touch and vibration alone.