Story: Beetles

Larva for lunch

Larva for lunch

This tuatara is eating a beetle larva. Larvae often have no real defences, and many remain hidden underground or in rotting wood until they are adults. Most of New Zealand’s beetles can fly, and this means that adults can escape if cornered by a predator.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: Re0097Mrt
Photograph by John Marris

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How to cite this page:

John Marris, 'Beetles - Diet and behaviour', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14372/larva-for-lunch (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by John Marris, published 24 Sep 2007