Mahoenui Giant Weta vs Dead Leaf Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Mahoenui Giant Weta	Dead Leaf Katydid
Scientific Name	Deinacrida mahoenui	Typophyllum erosum
Order	Orthoptera	Orthoptera
Family	Anostostomatidae	Tettigoniidae
Size	Body 50-70 mm	40-60 mm
Habitat	Forests	Underground
Diet	Herbivores	Detritivores
Regions	New Zealand	Central America, South America
Conservation	Endangered	Least Concern

Mahoenui Giant Weta

A critically threatened giant weta originally surviving in a single patch of introduced gorse scrub. It is brown with lighter banding and is largely arboreal.

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Did You Know?

Ironically, the invasive gorse bush has protected this weta from predators by providing spiny refuge.

Dead Leaf Katydid

A Neotropical katydid that mimics a dead, decaying leaf with astonishing accuracy. Its wings display brown hues and irregular edges that simulate decay.

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Did You Know?

Its wings even mimic holes and mold patches found on real decomposing leaves.