New Zealand Cave Weta vs Common Bat Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute New Zealand Cave Weta Common Bat Fly
Scientific Name Pachyrhamma edwardsii Basilia nana
Order Orthoptera Diptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Nycteribiidae
Size 20-40 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions New Zealand Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

New Zealand Cave Weta

A large cave weta found throughout New Zealand's North Island caves. It has massive hind legs and can grow quite large.

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Did You Know?

Weta are sometimes called the 'mice of New Zealand' for their ecological role.

Common Bat Fly

A tiny, completely wingless spider-like fly that parasitizes bats. Its body is so highly modified for ectoparasitism that it bears almost no resemblance to a typical fly.

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Did You Know?

It has evolved to be so specialized that its head folds back over the thorax, and it walks like a spider through bat fur.