Mercury Islands Tusked Weta vs Tundra Robber Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Mercury Islands Tusked Weta	Tundra Robber Fly
Scientific Name	Motuweta isolata	Rhadiurgus variabilis
Order	Orthoptera	Diptera
Family	Anostostomatidae	Asilidae
Size	40-50 mm body	10-15 mm
Habitat	Beaches & Coastal	Beaches & Coastal
Diet	Seed Feeders	Herbivores
Regions	Oceania	Scandinavia, Finland, Scotland, northern Russia
Conservation	Vulnerable	Least Concern

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.

Tundra Robber Fly

A medium-sized robber fly with a dark body and distinctive bristly face. It is an aerial predator that ambushes other flying insects from perches on rocks and low vegetation. Adults have powerful grasping legs.

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Did You Know?

This robber fly catches prey in midair and injects digestive enzymes to liquefy the insect's insides before drinking them.