Puriri Moth vs Broad-shouldered Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Puriri Moth | Broad-shouldered Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aenetus virescens | Dytiscus latissimus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 100-150 mm wingspan | 36-44 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - North Island) | Northern Europe, Scandinavia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Puriri Moth
New Zealand's largest moth, with a wingspan up to 150 mm. The caterpillars bore into the trunks of native trees, particularly puriri and putaputaweta, creating characteristic U-shaped tunnels. Adults have no functional mouthparts and do not feed.
Did You Know?
Puriri moth larvae can spend up to six years boring through living tree trunks before pupating and emerging as adults that live only a few days.
Broad-shouldered Diving Beetle
The largest European diving beetle and one of the largest aquatic beetles in the world. It inhabits clean, fish-poor lakes and is increasingly rare.
Did You Know?
It is protected under the EU Habitats Directive and is one of the most endangered beetles in Europe.