Large Shaggy Bee vs Cook Strait Giant Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Large Shaggy Bee | Cook Strait Giant Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Panurgus banksianus | Deinacrida rugosa |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 60-70 mm body length |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Large Shaggy Bee
A densely hairy black bee that specializes on composite flowers, particularly hawkbits and dandelions. Males have distinctively swollen, lemon-yellow faces.
Did You Know?
Males' bright yellow face patches are thought to mimic the yellow disc florets of the composites they frequent, possibly to ambush females visiting flowers.
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.
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.