Scree Weta vs Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scree Weta Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
Scientific Name Deinacrida connectens Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Order Orthoptera Lepidoptera
Family Anostostomatidae Geometridae
Size Body 50-60 mm 22-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions New Zealand Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Scree Weta

An alpine giant weta that lives among rocky scree fields at elevations above 1200 meters. It is remarkably cold-tolerant and can survive being frozen solid.

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Did You Know?

It can survive being frozen at minus 5 degrees Celsius by using special ice-nucleating proteins in its blood.

Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

A common but variable carpet moth found in gardens and hedgerows. Wing pattern ranges from pale to very dark. Larvae feed on bedstraws and other low plants.

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Did You Know?

So variable in appearance that dark and light forms were once described as separate species.