Mount Cook Giant Weta vs Ant Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mount Cook Giant Weta | Ant Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deinacrida pluvialis | Myrmecophilus acervorum |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Gryllidae |
| Size | 45-65 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Woodlands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Parasites |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island, Westland) | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
Mount Cook Giant Weta
A rare alpine giant weta restricted to high-altitude zones in the western ranges of the South Island. It inhabits subalpine scrub and tussock. Like other alpine weta, it has evolved remarkable freeze tolerance.
Did You Know?
Despite its common name, this weta is more commonly found in the mountain ranges of Westland rather than near Aoraki/Mount Cook itself.
Ant Cricket
A minute, wingless cricket that lives inside ant nests as a social parasite. It is oval-shaped and moves quickly among its host ants.
Did You Know?
It acquires its host ants' cuticular hydrocarbons to smell like them, allowing it to live undetected inside their colony.