Monkey Grasshopper vs Kaikoura Giant Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Monkey Grasshopper Kaikoura Giant Weta
Scientific Name Paramastax nigra Deinacrida parva
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Eumastacidae Anostostomatidae
Size 12-18 mm 35-50 mm
Habitat Forests Mountains
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions South America Oceania (New Zealand - Kaikoura Range)
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Monkey Grasshopper

A miniature grasshopper with bright metallic blue and orange coloration.

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Did You Know?

Its vivid coloration is aposematic, warning predators of unpalatable body chemicals.

Kaikoura Giant Weta

One of the smaller species of giant weta, endemic to the Seaward Kaikoura Range in the South Island of New Zealand. Despite its name, it is only giant relative to most insects. It inhabits alpine herbfields and scrub near the treeline.

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Did You Know?

Despite the species name 'parva' meaning small, this weta still dwarfs most European and North American orthopterans.