Tree Weta vs Common Christmas Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Tree Weta Common Christmas Beetle
Scientific Name Hemideina thoracica Anoplognathus pallidicollis
Order Orthoptera Coleoptera
Family Anostostomatidae Scarabaeidae
Size 40-60 mm body length 20-30 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Fruit Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Oceania Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Common Christmas Beetle

A glossy golden-brown scarab beetle that swarms around lights during the Australian summer. It is the most commonly encountered Christmas beetle species.

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Did You Know?

Their emergence in December each year gave them the common name Christmas beetle.