Nelson Alpine Weta vs Scudderia Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Nelson Alpine Weta Scudderia Katydid
Scientific Name Deinacrida tibiospina Scudderia furcata
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Anostostomatidae Tettigoniidae
Size 40-60 mm 30-38 mm
Habitat Mountains Meadows
Diet Herbivores Seed Feeders
Regions Oceania (New Zealand - South Island, Nelson) North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Nelson Alpine Weta

An alpine weta endemic to the mountains of the Nelson/Marlborough region in New Zealand's South Island. It shelters under rocks during the day and forages on alpine vegetation at night. Its tibial spines are particularly well developed.

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Did You Know?

This species is named for the prominent spines on its tibia, which are used defensively when threatened.

Scudderia Katydid

A slender, bright green fork-tailed bush katydid common in meadows and gardens. Its forked subgenital plate is a key identifying feature for males.

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Did You Know?

Female fork-tailed katydids lay their flat, oval eggs between the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, slicing the leaf open with a saw-like ovipositor.