Taveuni Beetle vs Lana'i Sandalwood Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Taveuni Beetle | Lana'i Sandalwood Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mausoleopsis amicta | Iliahia pahulu |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Curculionidae | Gracillariidae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 5-8 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Oceania (Fiji - Taveuni) | Oceania |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Critically Endangered |
Taveuni Beetle
An impressive flightless weevil endemic to the island of Taveuni in Fiji. It is one of the larger weevils in the Pacific Islands and is found in the island's native rainforest. Its flightlessness makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat loss.
Did You Know?
Taveuni is known as the Garden Island of Fiji, and this beetle is one of the unique species found nowhere else in the world.
Lana'i Sandalwood Moth
A critically endangered moth discovered in 2026, known only from a small grove of roughly 30 sandalwood trees on the island of Lanai. Its larvae mine sandalwood leaves.
Did You Know?
This moth is known from just one grove of 30 trees — if those sandalwood trees disappear, this entire species vanishes with them.