Scarlet Longhorn Beetle vs New Zealand Sand Scarab
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Scarlet Longhorn Beetle | New Zealand Sand Scarab |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mastododera coccinea | Pericoptus truncatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 20-30 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Madagascar | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Scarlet Longhorn Beetle
A visually striking longhorn beetle with bright red elytra and a dark head and thorax. Its long, curved antennae often exceed the length of its body.
Did You Know?
Its brilliant red coloration is thought to serve as a warning signal, though the beetle is not known to be toxic.
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.