Wall Brown vs Banks Peninsula Tree Weta
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wall Brown | Banks Peninsula Tree Weta |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lasiommata megera | Hemideina ricta |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae | Anostostomatidae |
| Size | Wingspan 36-50mm | 35-50 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Hedgerows |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Oceania (New Zealand - Banks Peninsula) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Wall Brown
An orange-brown butterfly with eyespots that basks with wings open on walls, rocks and bare ground.
Did You Know?
Named for its habit of sunbathing on warm walls and has sadly declined across much of western Europe.
Banks Peninsula Tree Weta
The rarest tree weta in New Zealand, restricted to Banks Peninsula near Christchurch. It was not described as a distinct species until 1993. Habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals have reduced its population to critically low levels.
Did You Know?
This weta was only recognised as its own species in 1993, having been overlooked among the more common Canterbury tree weta for over a century.