Silken Fungus Beetle vs Tree Weta

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Silken Fungus Beetle	Tree Weta
Scientific Name	Cryptophagus lycoperdi	Hemideina thoracica
Order	Coleoptera	Orthoptera
Family	Cryptophagidae	Anostostomatidae
Size	2-3 mm	40-60 mm body length
Habitat	Woodlands	Woodlands
Diet	Fungus Feeders	Fruit Feeders
Regions	Europe	Oceania
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Silken Fungus Beetle

A tiny beetle found inside puffball fungi and in moldy grain stores. Covered in fine silky hairs. Part of a poorly-known beetle family that feeds on fungal spores and molds.

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Did You Know?

So tiny and hidden inside puffball fungi that it is almost never seen despite being common.

Tree Weta

A common weta species found throughout the North Island of New Zealand. It shelters in tree holes during the day and forages for food at night.

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Did You Know?

Tree weta can survive being frozen solid; their blood contains special proteins that prevent ice crystals from damaging their cells.