<< Previous Next >>

Huhu Beetle


Huhu Beetle
Photo Information
Copyright: jim stevens (jimbob) Silver Note Writer [C: 1 W: 0 N: 121] (417)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-11-11
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D200, AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm DX
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-11-13 14:40
Viewed: 9410
Points: 1
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
HUHU BEETLE
(Prionoplus reticularis).
This beetle crashed into my window recently and I was amazed how big it was.

This is the largest beetle found in New Zealand and is common throughout the country. It is about 35 mm long and has a pair of long, jointed antennae. The body is brown and the wing cases have a characteristic pattern of lighter brown markings giving the insect a crocodile skin appearance. It is readily attracted to light and so frequently enters houses at dusk or early evening. If incautiously handled, it is capable of giving a powerful nip with its mandibles, but apart from this it is a harmless insect.

The grub stage is the well-known huhu grub which lives in timber and does considerable damage to posts and dead or fallen trees. The introduced pine trees (Pinus spp.) are often severely damaged by this grub. It is a delicacy of the Maori.

Thanks to Roy Alexander Harrison, D.SC., Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Zoology, Lincoln Agricultural College.
gerbil has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Definitely a documentary, not an artistic picture. Anyway thx very much showing this impressive beetle!
Werner

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF