Mahoenui Giant Weta vs Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mahoenui Giant Weta | Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deinacrida mahoenui | Tetrix ornata |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Tetrigidae |
| Size | Body 50-70 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | New Zealand | North 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.
Did You Know?
Ironically, the invasive gorse bush has protected this weta from predators by providing spiny refuge.
Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper
A tiny, intricately patterned groundhopper found on bare sandy soils in North American prairies and open woodlands. Its flattened, cryptic body blends perfectly with gravel and dry soil surfaces.
Did You Know?
When disturbed it can leap into a short flight that ends with a tumbling landing, making it very hard to track.