Common Barklouse vs Huhu Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Barklouse Huhu Beetle
Scientific Name Cerastipsocus venosus Prionoplus reticularis
Order Psocoptera Coleoptera
Family Psocidae Cerambycidae
Size 4.0-6.0 mm 25-50 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Oceania (New Zealand)
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Common Barklouse

A large winged barklouse found in herds on tree trunks in eastern North America. It has prominent veined wings and feeds on algae and lichens.

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Did You Know?

These barklice form conspicuous herds of up to several hundred individuals that march across tree trunks in unison.

Huhu Beetle

New Zealand's largest endemic beetle, the huhu beetle is a longhorn beetle whose larvae bore into dead and decaying wood. Adults are nocturnal and strongly attracted to lights. The larvae, called huhu grubs, were a traditional food source for Maori.

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Did You Know?

Huhu grubs were considered a delicacy by Maori and are said to taste like peanut butter when eaten raw.