North American Pygmy Mole Cricket vs Mount Cook Giant Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | North American Pygmy Mole Cricket | Mount Cook Giant Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neotridactylus apicialis | Deinacrida pluvialis |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Tridactylidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 45-65 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Mountains |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern United States | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island, Westland) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
North American Pygmy Mole Cricket
A minute mole cricket found on sandy shores of rivers and ponds in North America. It burrows just beneath the wet sand surface.
Did You Know?
Its hind tibiae bear paddle-like swimming plates that allow it to skim across the surface of water when flooded out of its burrow.
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.