Puketi Forest Trust, restoring and protecting the native wildlife, trees and plants of Puketi Forest in Northland, New Zealand.

Huhu Beetle

This is the largest beetle found in New Zealand and is common throughout the country. It is about 35 mm long and has a pair of long, jointed antennae. The body is brown and the wing cases have a characteristic pattern of lighter brown markings giving the insect a crocodile skin appearance.

The Huhu is readily attracted to light and so frequently enters houses at dusk or early evening. If incautiously handled, it is capable of giving a powerful nip with its mandibles, but apart from this it is a harmless insect. Its scientific name is Prionoplus reticularis.

The huhu beetle is a New Zealand native and the adult does not eat and lives for 2 weeks only.

Puketi Forest Trust, restoring and protecting the native wildlife, trees and plants of Puketi Forest in Northland, New Zealand.

The grub stage is the well-known huhu grub which lives in timber and does considerable damage to posts and dead or fallen trees. The introduced pine trees (Pinus spp.) are often severely damaged by this grub.

Did you know? The huhu grub was a delicacy of the Maori.