The huhu beetle endemic to New Zealand is the largest and heaviest beetle of its place of origin. The Maori people of New Zealand called the larval form huhu, and adults pepe-te-muimui.
Size: 4.82-7.36 cm (1.9-2.9 in)
Color: They are black and brown.
Other Characteristic Features: Their antennae are long, and the thorax of these beetles has a patch of brown hair. They even have powerful mandibles with which they can inflict painful bites when mishandled or disturbed.
Whitish in color, the larvae reach up to 70 mm (2.8 in) in length. The larval period lasts for 2-3 years. It begins constructing its pupal chamber 7-10 cm below the wood surface during the final instar.
After resting for 10-15 days, the body of the larva contracts and darkens slightly, turning into a pupa. This stage lasts for 25 days. The adults emerge at the end of this phase, initially remaining inactive for the first five days before creating a tunnel to leave the pupal chamber.
A huhu beetle egg is shaped like a cigar and 3mm long. 10-50 are laid at a time in cracks or crevices in wood surfaces.
| Adult Lifespan | 2 weeks |
| Distribution | New Zealand |
| Habitat | Podocarp forests |
| Seasons active | November to March |
| Predators | Hedgehogs, magpies, mice, and pigs |
| Host plants | Gymnosperms |
| Diet of adults | Does not feed |
The larvae tend to leave behind frass after chewing on the bark of trees.
Image Source: whatsthatbug.com, live.staticflickr.com, upload.wikimedia.org, landcareresearch.co.nz, whatsthatbug.com, i.pinimg.com
The huhu beetle endemic to New Zealand is the largest and heaviest beetle of its place of origin. The Maori people of New Zealand called the larval form huhu, and adults pepe-te-muimui.
Size: 4.82-7.36 cm (1.9-2.9 in)
Color: They are black and brown.
Other Characteristic Features: Their antennae are long, and the thorax of these beetles has a patch of brown hair. They even have powerful mandibles with which they can inflict painful bites when mishandled or disturbed.
Whitish in color, the larvae reach up to 70 mm (2.8 in) in length. The larval period lasts for 2-3 years. It begins constructing its pupal chamber 7-10 cm below the wood surface during the final instar.
After resting for 10-15 days, the body of the larva contracts and darkens slightly, turning into a pupa. This stage lasts for 25 days. The adults emerge at the end of this phase, initially remaining inactive for the first five days before creating a tunnel to leave the pupal chamber.
A huhu beetle egg is shaped like a cigar and 3mm long. 10-50 are laid at a time in cracks or crevices in wood surfaces.
| Adult Lifespan | 2 weeks |
| Distribution | New Zealand |
| Habitat | Podocarp forests |
| Seasons active | November to March |
| Predators | Hedgehogs, magpies, mice, and pigs |
| Host plants | Gymnosperms |
| Diet of adults | Does not feed |
The larvae tend to leave behind frass after chewing on the bark of trees.
Image Source: whatsthatbug.com, live.staticflickr.com, upload.wikimedia.org, landcareresearch.co.nz, whatsthatbug.com, i.pinimg.com
