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Story: Insect pests of crops, pasture and forestry

Mānuka beetle

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Mānuka beetle

This bright-green beetle is usually found on mānuka shrubs or pasture recently developed from tussock, shrubs or forest – but not usually where grass grubs are present. Unlike grass grub beetles, mānuka beetles fly during the day. Larvae feed on pasture plant roots just below the litter layer.

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Reference: DSCG9086Smd

by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page

Alison Popay, Insect pests of crops, pasture and forestry – Endemic pests of pasture, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17960/manuka-beetle (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Alison Popay, published 1 March 2009.