Goliath Beetle vs Peppered Moth of New Zealand
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Goliath Beetle | Peppered Moth of New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Goliathus goliatus | Cleora scriptaria |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 60-110 mm | 30-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Africa | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Goliath Beetle
One of the heaviest insects on Earth. Males have a Y-shaped horn on the head. Larvae can weigh up to 100 grams and require high-protein food to develop.
Did You Know?
Goliath beetle larvae can weigh up to 100 grams — about the same as a bar of soap — making them among the heaviest insect larvae known.
Peppered Moth of New Zealand
An endemic New Zealand geometrid moth known as the kawakawa looper, whose caterpillars feed on kawakawa and other native plants. The caterpillars are expert twig mimics, holding themselves rigid at an angle from the branch. Adults have speckled grey wings.
Did You Know?
The kawakawa looper caterpillar is such an effective twig mimic that it can be almost impossible to detect on a branch, even when you know it is there.