Story: Insects – overview

Major insect groups of New Zealand

Major insect groups of New Zealand

Beetles are the most numerous group of insects in New Zealand, with an estimated 8,000 native species, of which only 5,235 have been named, and some 500 introduced species. Flies are the next most common group.

Where the number of endemic species exceeds the number described, the figure is an estimate based on unnamed specimens.

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Source: Landcare Research, Checklist of New Zealand Hexapoda.

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How to cite this page:

George Gibbs, 'Insects – overview - Insects in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/diagram/10035/major-insect-groups-of-new-zealand (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by George Gibbs, published 24 Sep 2007