Photos / Sounds
What
Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)Observer
aslundDescription
Small grub-like insect found eating a lemon, have since found in peaches as well.
Photos / Sounds
What
Wedge-shaped Beetles (Family Ripiphoridae)Observer
aslundDescription
Found several flying around a woodstack on a sunny and humid day. Had characteristics similar to that of the Red-winged Lycid particularly while flying. Around 15mm long (estimate) with very distinctive antennae.
What
Mallada basalisObserver
aslundDescription
Small larva found on a swan plant. Covered with detritus and when it was removed attempted to replace it. The lava looked very similar in shape to an antlion larva, with similar mandibles, I would guess that it is a relative.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus SapromyzaObserver
aslundDescription
Probably some sort of fruitfly. About 5mm long and much larger than the fruit flies I am used to.
Photos / Sounds
What
Araecerus palmarisObserver
aslundDescription
Possibly a weevil of some sort with elongated front legs. Roughly 5mm long.
Photos / Sounds
What
Dejean's Scarab (Dasygnathus dejeani)Observer
aslundDescription
Large black beetle about 2cm long. Dead when found. Shiny black wing cases with grooves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Genus SpathiusObserver
aslundDescription
A small ant-like insect with no wings. About 2mm long not including Ovipositor or feelers. Moved fast. I would guess that it was some sort of parasitic wasp.
Photos / Sounds
What
Dejean's Scarab (Dasygnathus dejeani)Observer
aslundDescription
A large black beetle about 2.5cm long. Found dead in the Northland region. Has a distinctive horn on the front of it's head with two smaller ones on it's Pronotum. It's wing cases are shiny and black with grooves.
Photos / Sounds
What
Order HypocrealesObserver
aslundDescription
A Tasmanian Paper Wasp (Polistes humilis) infected with Cordyceps. Two main 'hairs' protruding from the base of the wings with many smaller hairs coming from any other space between the wasps exoskeleton as well as its wings.
Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Michelin Ant (Amblyopone australis)Observer
aslundDescription
Largest ant established in New Zealand, accidentally introduced from Australia, lives in rotting logs and under rocks in north island forests. Bites and stings.
http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/science/plants-animals-fungi/animals/invertebrates/invasive-invertebrates/antsnz/Factsheets/amblyopone-australis
Photos / Sounds
What
Australian Bag Moth (Cebysa leucotelus)Observer
aslundDescription
About 1cm long although stretches to quite alot longer while moving, drags abdomen along the ground behind it, moves in an erratic way stopping every few steps, iridescent steel blue with orange wing tips, wings look as though they have not opened properly, occasionally extends a long ovipositor out of the end of its abdomen, small head with white tips on the ends of the antennae.
Laid about 60 eggs and then died, all eggs hatched.
What
Syndesus cornutusObserver
aslundDescription
Small horned beetle. Approx. 1cm long. Black, with prominent ridged wing covers.
What
Ants, Bees, and Stinging Wasps (Infraorder Aculeata)Observer
aslundDate
Missing DateDescription
Large wasp with hairy black and yellow abdomen.
Found dead in sand dunes on the east coast of the north island roughly 4-5 years ago.
What
Haloragis Weevil (Rhadinosomus acuminatus)Observer
aslundDescription
Body length 10mm.
Brownish colour with 2 light flecks on wing-covers.
Retracted antennae when disturbed but re-extended them when on the move.