We have some creepy crawlies here in New Zealand for sure. A few days ago I found a dead bug on the front deck here at Struan Farm. I thought it was a "huhu bug," which it is. This prompted me to do a bit of research.
What's missing in this photo is something to provide you an idea of scale, but these are BIG bugs. In fact, the Huhu (Prionoplus reticularis) is New Zealand largest endemic beetle. This guy was almost three inches long. The adults only live for two weeks to mate, and are most active at night. They are drawn to the lights of dwellings, which is what must have happened here.
Their big white larvae feed on rotting wood and are considered a wild food delicacy. Word is that they taste like buttery chicken, but suffice it to say I'm not testing that out as part of my research...One can only go so far!
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