Unarmed Stick Insect vs Big-headed Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Unarmed Stick Insect Big-headed Fly
Scientific Name Clitarchus tepaki Pipunculus campestris
Order Phasmatodea Diptera
Family Phasmatidae Pipunculidae
Size 6-9 cm 3-6 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions New Zealand (Northland) Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Unarmed Stick Insect

A smooth-bodied stick insect endemic to the far north of New Zealand. It is slimmer than its relative Clitarchus hookeri.

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Did You Know?

It is restricted to the northernmost tip of New Zealand's North Island around Cape Reinga.

Big-headed Fly

A small fly with an enormously enlarged, almost entirely eye-covered spherical head. It hovers in vegetation searching for leafhopper hosts in which to parasitize.

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Did You Know?

Its enormous eyes give it near-360-degree vision, allowing it to spot leafhoppers from any angle while hovering.