Vegetable Caterpillar vs Pitted Ambrosia Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vegetable Caterpillar | Pitted Ambrosia Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ophiocordyceps robertsii | Cnesinus strigicollis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 50-100 mm (caterpillar plus fungal stalk) | 2-3mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Gardens |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Vegetable Caterpillar
The host of this relationship is the caterpillar of the native moth Aenetus virescens, parasitized by the endemic Cordyceps fungus. The fungus invades and mummifies the caterpillar underground, then sends a fruiting body to the surface. It was known to Maori as awhato.
Did You Know?
Maori prized the vegetable caterpillar as a pigment source, grinding the fungus-caterpillar combination to produce a blue-black tattoo ink.
Pitted Ambrosia Beetle
A tiny dark brown bark beetle that cultivates fungal gardens inside its tunnels. It introduces ambrosia fungi into the wood which it and its larvae eat.
Did You Know?
It is one of many beetle species that practice true agriculture cultivating fungal crops inside tree tunnels for food.