New Zealand Sand Scarab vs Golden-tabbed Robber Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Sand Scarab | Golden-tabbed Robber Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pericoptus truncatus | Choerades marginatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Asilidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm | 15-22mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Europe |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
New Zealand Sand Scarab
A large flightless scarab beetle endemic to sandy coastal habitats in New Zealand. It is nocturnal and burrows in sand dunes during the day. Once common on beaches, it has become increasingly rare due to habitat modification and introduced predators.
Did You Know?
This beetle was once so common on beaches that Maori used it as fish bait, but predation by introduced rodents has severely reduced its numbers.
Golden-tabbed Robber Fly
A large bristly brown robber fly with golden hair tufts that ambushes prey from sunny perches on logs.
Did You Know?
Sits motionless on sun-warmed logs waiting for insects to fly past, then launches with explosive speed to intercept.