New Zealand Peripatus vs Big-headed Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Peripatus | Big-headed Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Peripatoides novaezealandiae | Megacephala virginica |
| Order | Onychophora | Coleoptera |
| Family | Peripatopsidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 30-80 mm | 18-24 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Southeastern United States |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
New Zealand Peripatus
A velvet worm native to New Zealand, representing one of the most ancient terrestrial animal lineages. Although not an insect, it is closely related and is a fascinating part of New Zealand's invertebrate fauna. It captures prey by shooting streams of sticky slime.
Did You Know?
Velvet worms shoot jets of quick-hardening slime up to 30 centimetres to entangle prey, a hunting technique virtually unchanged for hundreds of millions of years.
Big-headed Tiger Beetle
A nocturnal tiger beetle with a disproportionately large head and long curved mandibles. It is dark brown to black and hunts on sandy riverbanks after dark.
Did You Know?
Unlike most tiger beetles that hunt by day, this species is strictly nocturnal and is attracted to artificial lights near sandy habitats.