Mercury Islands Tusked Weta vs Nelson Alpine Giant Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Mercury Islands Tusked Weta	Nelson Alpine Giant Weta
Scientific Name	Motuweta isolata	Deinacrida fallai
Order	Orthoptera	Orthoptera
Family	Anostostomatidae	Anostostomatidae
Size	40-50 mm body	70-90 mm body
Habitat	Beaches & Coastal	Mountains
Diet	Seed Feeders	Fruit Feeders
Regions	Oceania	Oceania
Conservation	Vulnerable	Vulnerable

Mercury Islands Tusked Weta

One of New Zealands rarest insects, found only on Middle Mercury Island. Males have curved tusks on their mandibles used in territorial combat with rivals.

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Did You Know?

This weta is so rare it was not discovered until 1970, living on a single 13-hectare island — males have tusks protruding from their jaws, unique among weta species.

Nelson Alpine Giant Weta

A giant weta found above the tree line in the mountains of northwest Nelson, New Zealand. Nocturnal and ground-dwelling, surviving harsh alpine conditions.

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Did You Know?

This giant weta lives above the tree line at over 1,200 meters elevation, enduring snowfall and near-freezing temperatures that would kill most tropical insects.