The beetles are strong nocturnal fliers and are attracted to lights. Adults do not feed but survive for about two weeks. Reinfestation of old logs occurs and populations of this insect may occur in such material for many years. Control Export logs and sawn timber on which eggs are detected are fumigated with methyl bromide.
Although mice, hedgehogs, white-backed magpies, moreporks, sparrows, and wild pigs are known to feed on this insect, their effect on total numbers of huhu in the forests is probably insignificant. Huhu population levels are more likely to be related to the availability of softwood hosts. Larvae of the rhipiphorid beetle, Rhipistena cryptarthra Broun, and the click beetle, Thoramus wakefieldi Sharp, have been found feeding on huhu larvae. There is also a very small wasp, Prionaphes depressus Hinks Hymenoptera: Mymaridae , which parasitises huhu eggs.
Bibliography Dumbleton, L. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 84 : Edwards, J. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 87 : Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand 88 : Emberson, R. Forest and timber insects. In: Scott, R. Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. P Hosking, G. Huhu beetle. Morgan, F. New Zealand Entomologist 2 5 : Watt, J. New Zealand Entomologist 7 4 : This information is intended for general interest only.
It is not intended to be a substitute for specific specialist advice on any matter and should not be relied on for that purpose. Scion will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, loss of profits, or any other intangible losses that result from using the information provided on this site. Article archive ». H uhu beetle larvae are commonly known as huhu grubs. They hatch from eggs deposited under bark or in crevices in rotten wood.
For two to three years they live in cavities they have eaten into the wood, then begin a pupal stage that lasts 25 days. They emerge as flying adult huhu beetles. This still edible stage is known in Maori as tataka. It then develops wings and legs, and while it is still white, it is known as pepe.
Finally, it emerges and flies off to reproduce and is known as tunga rere. Each year at the Hokitika Wildfoods festival, cooked huhu grubs are on the menu. They are said to taste like peanut butter. The best way to cook them is to heat up a fry pan and place the huhu grubs in the hot pan.
The whole life cycle can take up to several years. The adult beetles appear during the southern hemisphere spring and summer November to March. They start their activity around dusk, and many of them reach outdoor lights and well-lit rooms in their heavy flight. I often found mating pairs in close proximity to light bulbs. Many people fear these beetles for no good reason or worse — I heard people relate to these beetles as cockroaches. The adults look a bit scary with their enormous jaws and long antennae swinging from side to side as they walk, but they are harmless and not aggressive.
Well, that is, if they are not provoked. Stay tuned! Huhu beetle Prionoplus reticularis. Thanks for your very informative article. I thought these beetles did not actually bite until tonight when my kitten was playing tormenting with one and it grabbed her.
She was making a fair bit of noise and it took her a good seconds to get it to let go. I love your portrait shot and nice detail shots. Just found a bunch of the grubs in a stump yesterday.
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