Huhu Beetle vs Arctic Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Huhu Beetle | Arctic Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Prionoplus reticularis | Amara alpina |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 25-50 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Greenland |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Did You Know?
Huhu grubs were considered a delicacy by Maori and are said to taste like peanut butter when eaten raw.
Arctic Ground Beetle
A small, dark bronze ground beetle found on Arctic and alpine tundra. It has a broad, flattened body ideal for sheltering under stones. Adults are active during the brief Arctic summer and are partially herbivorous.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been found in Quaternary fossil deposits across northern Europe, showing it has inhabited the tundra since the last Ice Age.