Weta Piki (Jumping Weta) vs Wallace's Longwing
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Weta Piki (Jumping Weta) | Wallace's Longwing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemiandrus pallitarsis | Heliconius wallacei |
| Order | Orthoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Anostostomatidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 60-72 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | South America (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Weta Piki (Jumping Weta)
A small ground weta endemic to New Zealand, found in forest leaf litter. It is nocturnal and burrows into the soil during the day. Ground weta are the most species-rich group of weta, with many species still being discovered and described.
Did You Know?
New species of ground weta are still being discovered in New Zealand, with more than 40 species now known, many identified only in the last two decades.
Wallace's Longwing
A relatively rare Heliconius species with dark wings marked by a distinctive yellow band on the forewing and red patches at the base of the hindwing. Named after the naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace. It is primarily found in western Amazonian forests.
Did You Know?
Named after Alfred Russel Wallace, who independently conceived the theory of evolution by natural selection while studying insects in South America and Southeast Asia.