New Zealand Invertebrates

DSC_4211 Huhu beetle (Prionoplus reticularis) a recently emerged adult beetle still in pupal chamber, surrounded by wood frass. This endemic longhorn is our largest and heaviest beetle. Often attracted to lights, crashing against windows at night in spring and summer. The beetle has powerful mandibles, which can produce a painful bite, however as adults they eat no food and only survive long enough to find a mate and reproduce, then after about a fortnight they die. Waipori Forest *

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DSC_4211 Huhu beetle (Prionoplus reticularis) a recently emerged adult beetle still in pupal chamber, surrounded by wood frass. This endemic longhorn is our largest and heaviest beetle. Often attracted to lights, crashing against windows at night in spring and summer. The beetle has powerful mandibles, which can produce a painful bite, however as adults they eat no food and only survive long enough to find a mate and reproduce, then after about a fortnight they die. Waipori Forest *

DSC 4211 huhu beetle huhu beetle Prionoplus reticularis recently emerged adult endemic longhorn largest heaviest native Waipori Forest