HUHU
The huhu beetle (Prionoplus reticularis) is a longhorn beetle only found in New Zealand. It is a large and distinctive species with the adult reaching up to 5 cm in length. They are widespread throughout New Zealand, occurring up to 1500 m in altitude. Although it doesn't feed as an adult, the larva feeds and burrows in the dead wood of trees, almost entirely feeding on gymnosperm trees such as rimu and monterey pine. The larva, which is high in protein and fat, is edible and has a history of consumption by the Māori, who have specific words for some of its life stages. During its larval stage, the beetle can potentially take two to three years to reach maturity, although this has been achieved more quickly in laboratory conditions. It is nocturnal and is heavily attracted to light, such as that produced by human habitation. During the night, the beetle may fly around in search of a mate. The female appears to produce olfactory cues to attract the male. Many predators such as native birds and introduced mammals are known to prey upon the beetle. Prionaphes depressus, a species of fairy wasp exclusively parasitises the beetles eggs. The intestinal tract of the larva is known to host a diverse range of microorganisms that may assist in digestion. Because the larva burrows into logs, New Zealand has to treat logs before exporting them to prevent the beetle spreading to other countries.
Pakoon
- 2019-10-02T00:00:00.000000Z
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