New Zealand Cave Weta vs True Leaf Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute New Zealand Cave Weta True Leaf Katydid
Scientific Name Pachyrhamma edwardsii Pseudophyllus titan
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Tettigoniidae
Size 20-40 mm 50-70 mm
Habitat Caves Forests
Diet Fungus Feeders Herbivores
Regions New Zealand West Africa, Central Africa
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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

True Leaf Katydid

A large katydid with broad green forewings that precisely mimic living leaves. The wing venation pattern is nearly identical to real leaf veins.

💡

Did You Know?

Its forewings even have small brown spots that mimic fungal damage on real leaves.