Mount Cook Giant Weta vs Two-spotted Grouse Locust
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mount Cook Giant Weta | Two-spotted Grouse Locust |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deinacrida pluvialis | Paratettix mexicanus |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Tetrigidae |
| Size | 45-65 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island, Westland) | North America, Central America |
| 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.
Two-spotted Grouse Locust
A tiny pygmy grasshopper commonly found at the muddy margins of ponds and streams across the Americas. It often has two pale spots on its pronotum.
Did You Know?
It spends most of its time at the water's edge and can leap onto the water surface and skate across it to escape danger.