INTERESTING INSECTS
and other invertebrates
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Alpine brown soldier bug - Cermatulus nasalis hudsoni
Added: 18 Oct 2017
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This species of native shield bug is present in New Zealand, Australia and Timor. The endemic subspecies, Alpine brown soldier bug, Cermatulus nasalis hudsoni is one of three subspecies in New Zealand. It is only found i...
Alpine shield bug - Hypsithocus hudsonae
Added: 21 Mar 2018
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
The Alpine shield bug is endemic to New Zealand's South Island where it is found in the alpine areas of central and western Otago. It is the only New Zealand shield bug that cannot fly. Its abundance and annual cycle in ...
Ash whitefly - Siphoninus phillyreae
Added: 24 Oct 2018
Updated: 15 Jun 2023
Ash whitefly was first found in New Zealand in a Devonport garden during May 1995. The European species, is also found in Western Asia, and North Africa. It has been spread to North, Central and South America, and Austra...
Astelia lacebug - Tanybyrsa cumberi
Added: 31 May 2017
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This endemic lacebug is found on both main Islands and some off-shore islands on its host plants, Astelia species (Asteliaceae). Both the nymphs and adults feed on the leaves. It has only been found in native ecosystems....
Australasian coastal fly- Australimyza sp.
Added: 08 Aug 2018
Updated: 20 Aug 2018
Endemic flies in the genus Australimyza are found in coastal areas of North and South Islands. Other species are found on the Chatham Islands and subantarctic Islands. There are species in Australia. Adults may be found ...
Australasian green shield bug - Glaucias amyoti
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 11 Jul 2018
This native shield bug is found throughout the North Island of New Zealand and Nelson and Marlborough on the South Island. It is also present in Australia, East Timor, Indonesia (West Timor), Palau and Papaua New Guinea....
Australian citrus whitefly - Orchamoplatus citri
Added: 23 Oct 2018
Updated: 05 Nov 2018
This adventive whitefly comes from Australia. It was first found in Auckland in October 2000 and quickly spread through the North Island and has reached the top of the South Island. It is mainly found on Citrus trees, bu...
Australian solanum psyllid - Acizzia solanicola
Added: 28 Sep 2016
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This adventive psyllid comes from Australia where it was recently discovered. It was found breeding on some non-native Solanum plants. It has since been found on native plants and other plants in the family Solanaceae. I...
Australian variable lacewing - Drepanacra binocula
Added: 26 Jun 2017
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This adventive lacewing comes from Australia and is widespread in New Zealand. In New Zealand it is mainly found in trees and shrubs where it feeds on aphids, psyllids and whiteflies. Conservation status: The Australian ...
Banana silvering thrips- Hercinothrips bicinctus
Added: 26 Jul 2017
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This adventive species of thrips is widespread in New Zealand. It is found outdoors in many tropical and subtropical countries. It is found on native and adventive plants. Conservation status: Widespread in the New Zeala...
Basket-cocoon parasitoid - Meteorus pulchricornis
Added: 15 Feb 2017
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This adventive wasp was first identified in New Zealand by Dr J Berry in 1996. This parasitoid of caterpillars had probably been in New Zealand for at least a year. It is found throughout western Europe, North Africa, Ch...
Beech witches broom mite - Cymoptus waltheri
Added: 15 May 2019
Updated: 20 May 2019
This endemic gall mite is found on silver beech, Lophozonia menziesii (Nothofagaceae) in the North and South Islands. The tree used to be called Nothofagus menziesii. The mite is associated with witches broom galls found...
Bindweed gall mite - Aceria calystegiae
Added: 13 Feb 2017
Updated: 20 Feb 2017
This endemic gall mite has been found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand on its host plants, Calystegia species and Convolvulus arvensis. Feeding by the mite induces pocket galls on young leaves. Conservation ...
Black fern aphid - Idiopterus nephrelepidis
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 11 Jul 2018
The country of origin of this adventive aphid is not certain, but it is probably from tropical areas of the Americas. In New Zealand it is present in the North and South Islands. It is one of five species of aphid found ...
Brown shield bug - Dictyotus caenosus
Added: 06 Oct 2016
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This adventive shield bug comes from Australia. It is present in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It is also present in New Caledonia. The Brown shield bug feeds on developing seeds of plants such as plantain ...
Brown soldier bug - Cermatulus nasalis nasalis
Added: 10 Oct 2016
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
The native subspecies, Brown soldier bug, C. nasalis nasalis is one of three subspecies in New Zealand. This subspecies is also present in Australia and Timor. It a predator that feeds on free living insects such as cate...
Cabbage leafminer - Liriomyza brassicae
Added: 08 May 2017
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This adventive fly from the Pacific Region and old world tropics is found in the North Island and Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand. It is a leafminer of herbaceous brassicas (Cruciferae or Brassicae) and plants ...
Cabbage tree mealybug - Balanococcus cordylinidis
Added: 23 Jan 2019
Updated: 31 Jan 2019
The endemic Cabbage tree mealybug lives on Cabbage trees, Cordyline species in the North & South Islands. They live at the base of leaves and high numbers of the mealybugs are associated with the death of young, usually ...
Cabbage tree mite - Tetranychus species 1
Added: 20 Aug 2018
Updated: 10 Sep 2018
Little is known about this distinctive unnamed endemic spidermite. It has only been found on the common cabbage tree, Cordyline australis (Asparagaceae) and only in two cities in the North Island. I suspect that it occur...
Cabbage tree moth - Epiphryne verriculata
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This endemic moth is found throughout New Zealand where its host plants, Cordyline species (cabbage trees), are found. It is present in cities and native ecosystems. Conservation status: Widespread, not threatened.
Cabbage whitefly - Aleyrodes proletella
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This adventive whitefly comes from the northern hemisphere. It is naturally present in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, and has spread to North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. It is widespread in New Zeala...
Cardinal ladybird - Rodolia cardinalis
Added: 21 Nov 2016
Updated: 31 Oct 2018
This Australian ladybird is found in the North Island and Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand. It is an important predator of cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi Maskell, 1879 (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) that was...
Cassinia tephritid fly - Austrotephritis cassinae
Added: 05 Apr 2018
Updated: 16 Apr 2018
This endemic gall fly is found throughout the country where there are coastal sand dunes and dry hill side soils with its host plant, Cottonwood/ Tauhinui, Ozothamnus leptophyllus (Compositae). The fly induces terminal b...
Chinese wax scale - Ceroplastes sinensis
Added: 08 Oct 2018
Updated: 18 Oct 2018
This adventive scale insect was first reported in New Zealand 1932. It is now found in the northern half of the North Island and Great Island (Three Kings Islands). It has been found on native and plants from other count...
Citrus whitefly ladybird - Serangium maculigerum
Added: 17 Jan 2013
Updated: 31 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird comes from Australia and was first found in New Zealand by Stephen Thorpe in Auckland Domain in 2005. It is present in Northland and Auckland, and spreading south. It feeds on several kinds of ins...
Citrus whitefly predator - Cybocephalus species 1
Added: 20 Nov 2017
Updated: 14 Feb 2018
This adventive beetle is a predator of whiteflies and was first found feeding on Australian citrus whitefly, Orchamoplatus citri (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on a lemon tree in an Auckland garden during 2012. It also feeds o...
Clematis leafminer - Phytomyza clematadi
Added: 28 Jun 2018
Updated: 10 Jan 2019
This endemic leaf mining fly is found throughout New Zealand where its host plants, native Clematis species (Ranunculaceae), are found. The fly is found in native ecosystems as well as gardens and parks. It may sometimes...
Coastal Scaptomyza fly - Scaptomyza flavella
Added: 24 May 2017
Updated: 06 Jun 2018
This endemic fly is widespread around the coast of New Zealand and on many off-shore Islands. It was recently found to live on decaying and live leaves of New Zealand Celery, Apium prostratum (Umbeliferae), a plant with ...
Collyer's tetranychid mite - Tetranychus collyerae
Added: 18 Jun 2018
Updated: 26 Nov 2018
This endemic spidermite was described and named in 1967. It is mainly found on a small selection of small trees and shrubs. It is on plants in city gardens and parks as well as native ecosystems. Conservation status: Wid...
Coprosma bud gall mite - Acalitus cottieri
Added: 25 Jul 2018
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This endemic gall mite is found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand on its host plants, Coprosma species (Rubiaceae). Feeding by the mites induces galls in places such as flower/fruit buds and clusters of veget...
Coprosma flea beetle - Trachytetra rugulosa
Added: 19 Dec 2016
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This small endemic flea beetle is found in both the North and South Islands where its host plants, Coprosma species (Rubiaceae), grow. Adult beetles feed on young leaves in winter and spring. Conservation status: Widespr...
Coprosma white erineum mite - Phyllocoptes coprosma
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This endemic gall mite has been found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It occurs on host plants, Coprosma species, in city gardens and parks as well as native ecosystems. The mite induces white hairs, erine...
Cottony cushion scale - Icerya purchasi
Added: 28 Mar 2018
Updated: 14 Nov 2018
This adventive scale insect from Australia was first found in New Zealand in 1877 after which it became a serious pest on trees and shrubs, including citrus orchards, until controlled by the Australian cardinal ladybird,...
Cottony cushion scale parasitoid - Cryptochaetum iceryae
Added: 28 Mar 2018
Updated: 12 Nov 2018
This adventive fly is from Australia, though it is now found in many parts of the world where it helps control its host, the Cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae). It was first sent to New Zea...
Daisy tree leaf beetle - Adoxia vulgaris
Added: 11 Jan 2017
Updated: 23 Jan 2017
This endemic leaf beetle is found in the North and South Islands. Adult beetles feed on leaves and based on leaf damage symptoms, this beetle is common in the Auckland region on its host plants, Brachyglottis and Olearia...
Delphacid parasitoid wasp - Gonatopus alpinus
Added: 08 May 2019
Updated: 30 Sep 2019
This endemic wasp was first found in the 1950’s in the southern alps. It has now been found on the East and West coasts of Auckland. It is a parasitoid of planthoppers in the family Delphacidae (Hemiptera) that live on l...
Dicksonia gall mite - Aceria gersoni
Added: 16 Aug 2018
Updated: 20 Aug 2018
This endemic gall mite has been found in the North Island of New Zealand on its host plant, Rough tree fern, Dicksonia squarrosa (Dicksoniaceae). It has been found in the Kaimai Range, Bay of Plenty and Waitakere Ranges,...
Diomus mealybug ladybird - Diomus sp. nr subclarus
Added: 30 Nov 2016
Updated: 29 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird was first found about 2005 by Stephen Thorpe in Devonport, Auckland. It has been found feeding on endemic and adventive species of mealybugs. Conservation status: This adventive ladybird is establ...
Dusky lady beetle - Nephus binaevatus
Added: 23 Aug 2017
Updated: 31 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird was first found in New Zealand in Mount Albert, Auckland in sometime after 2000. It has since been found in Avondale. In Mount Albert it is associated with mealybugs on flax, Phormium plants. It o...
Eleven-spotted ladybird - Coccinella undecimpunctata
Added: 11 Oct 2012
Updated: 29 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird comes from the northern hemisphere. It is present in Europe, Asia and North America. It is now widespread in New Zealand, where it occurs in grasslands, vegetable crops, field crops, cereals, and ...
Eucalyptus whitefly - Dumbletoniella eucalypti
Added: 20 Feb 2017
Updated: 21 Nov 2018
This adventive whitefly comes from Australia. It was first discovered on a host plant, Tasmanian bluegum, Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (Myrtaceae), in Blenheim, New Zealand in 1950 by Mr. Dumbleton. It has since been foun...
Fern mirid - Felisacus elegantulus
Added: 06 Dec 2012
Updated: 07 Aug 2017
This native mirid is widespread in the North Island, while it is found only in the Marlborough Sounds and Nelson in the South Island. It is also present in Australia. It occurs on its fern host plants in city gardens and...
Flax fungus beetle - Melanophthalma sp. 6
Added: 30 Apr 2018
Updated: 30 Apr 2018
The endemic Flax fungus beetle is an undescribed species that has been found feeding and breeding on fungi on leaves of New Zealand flax in Auckland. Nothing is known about its distribution and abundance. Conservation st...
Flax spidermite - Tetranychus moutensis
Added: 27 Apr 2017
Updated: 21 Nov 2018
This endemic spidermite was first found on leaves New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax (Hemerocallidaceae), in 1949 at Paiaka by Dr FJ Newhook. It was later rediscovered in 1969 in a flax plantation on the Moutoa Estate, nea...
Flocculent flax scale - Poliaspis floccosa
Added: 14 Jan 2016
Updated: 14 Aug 2019
This distinctive endemic scale insect lives on the underside of leaves of its endemic host plants, especially New Zealand flax, Phormium species (Hemerocallidaceae). It is found on the North and South Islands. Conservati...
Forest shield bug- Oncacontias vittatus
Added: 05 Oct 2016
Updated: 25 Oct 2017
This endemic shield bug is present in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The Forest shield bug is mainly found in native forests. It appears to be restricted to feeding on sedges and trees with small seeds. Cons...
Forestier's ladybird - Rhyzobius forestieri
Added: 16 Nov 2016
Updated: 31 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird from Australia is found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It was released into New Zealand in 1889 to help control scale insects. It has been released in many other countries for the ...
French marigold thrips - Neohydatothrips samayunkur
Added: 13 Aug 2018
Updated: 15 May 2019
This adventive species of thrips was first found in New Zealand in an Auckland garden by Nicholas Martin in 2009. The feeding damage to plants of French Marigold, Tagetes patula L. (Compositae), alerted him to the presen...
Fungus-eating ladybird - Illeis (Leptothea) galbula
Added: 09 Jan 2013
Updated: 29 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird was first found in New Zealand in 1985 in Auckland. It comes from Eastern Australia and is also found in New Guinea. It is now present in New Zealand's North Island, where it occurs in gardens, pa...
Gahnia glassy scale - Kalasiris martini
Added: 13 Feb 2019
Updated: 11 Mar 2019
Galium gall mite - Cecidophyes rouhollahi
Added: 30 Oct 2017
Updated: 20 Nov 2017
The Gallium gal mite, Cecidophyes rouhollahi (Acari: Eriophyidae) is an adventive species from Europe and was first found in New Zealand in June 2017. It is widespread in Auckland. Its host plant is the adventive weed, C...
Giant willow aphid - Tuberolachnus salignus
Added: 23 Feb 2017
Updated: 21 Oct 2019
This cosmopolitan adventive aphid was first found in Auckland in December 2013. It has since spread to its primary host plants, willow trees (Salix species (Salicaceae)), in other parts of the country. Its feeding produc...
Glasswort gall mite - Aceria rubifaciens
Added: 17 Mar 2017
Updated: 31 May 2017
This endemic gall mite has only been found in Auckland. It was discovered in the Waitemata harbour in 1948 and rediscovered in 2013 in the estuary near Kaiua, which is near Miranda on the Firth of Thames. It occurs on it...
Glassy nīkau scale - Plumichiton nikau
Added: 28 Mar 2019
Updated: 08 Apr 2019
This distinctive endemic scale insect is found on leaves of Nikau palm, Rhopalostylis sapida (Palmae). It lives in lowland forests and in the North Island and northern South Island where the Nikau palm grows. Conservatio...
Golden mealybug - Nipaecoccus aurilanatus
Added: 14 Mar 2018
Updated: 16 Apr 2018
This distinctive adventive mealybug comes from Australia. It has also been found in California, USA. It lives on trees in two genera of the family Araucariaceae, Agathis and Araucaria, but it has not been found on New Ze...
Golden-brown fern moth - Musotima nitidalis
Added: 07 Feb 2019
Updated: 18 Feb 2019
This native moth is found in Australia and throughout New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands and the Subantarctic Islands, where its fern host plants occur. It is found in native ecosystems on ferns in the families D...
Grass soldier aphid - Pseudoregma panicola
Added: 21 Mar 2019
Updated: 01 Apr 2019
This adventive soldier aphid is found living on grasses in many countries. In New Zealand it has been found on two native (indigenous, non-endemic) grasses. The aphid was first found by W. Cottier at Wesley Bay & Hunua F...
Green fern aphid - Micromyzella filicis
Added: 25 Jan 2017
Updated: 11 Jul 2018
This adventive aphid is from the Island of Java, Indonesia. It lives on young fronds of ferns. In New Zealand it is widespread on some species of native ferns in native forests around Auckland. Its presence in other area...
Green planthopper - Siphanta acuta
Added: 05 Oct 2017
Updated: 23 Jul 2018
This adventive plant hopper from Australia was first reported in New Zealand by Kirkaldy in 1909. It is now found in the North Island and parts of the South Island. It occurs on its herbaceous, shrub and tree host plants...
Green potato bug - Cuspicona simplex
Added: 16 Jan 2013
Updated: 11 Jul 2018
This adventive shield bug comes from Australia and is found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It occurs on host plants, Solanum species, in crops, gardens and parks as well as in native ecosystems. Conservat...
Green totara scale - Madarococcus s.l. totarae
Added: 25 Jan 2018
Updated: 14 Feb 2018
This endemic scale insect lives on leaves and stems of Totara, Podocarpus totara (Podocarpaceae) and other native species of totara. It is mainly found in native ecosystems in the North and South Islands. Conservation st...
Green vegetable bug egg parasitoid - Trissolcus basalis
Added: 18 Jan 2018
Updated: 08 Aug 2018
The adventive egg parasitoid of Green vegetable bug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was released into New Zealand in 1949 to help control the pest of crops such as beans and sweet corn. The population of the Gr...
Green vegetable bug - Nezara viridula
Added: 10 Oct 2016
Updated: 11 Jul 2018
The cosmopolitan Green vegetable bug was found in Northland, New Zealand in 1944. This adventive shield bug is now found throughout the North Island and in the warmer parts of the South Island. It feeds on native plants ...
Greenhouse thrips - Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis
Added: 27 Jul 2017
Updated: 16 Jul 2018
This adventive species of thrips is widespread in the tropics and subtropics and lives on mature plant leaves. It was first found in New Zealand on rose and Virburnum leaves in 1930 by W. Cottier. In New Zealand it occur...
Grey planthopper - Anzora unicolor
Added: 09 Oct 2017
Updated: 08 Aug 2018
This adventive plant hopper from Australia is found in the North Island and the northern half of the South Island of New Zealand. It occurs on its herbaceous and shrub host plants in city gardens and parks as well as nat...
Gullans ensign scale - Newsteadia gullanae
Added: 14 May 2018
Updated: 21 May 2018
This native scale insect lives Tasmania, South Australia and both main Islands of New Zealand. It lives in native ecosystems where it is associated with dead plants in the soil and litter as well up trees. It feeds on fu...
Gumtree scale ladybird - Rhyzobius ventralis
Added: 16 Nov 2016
Updated: 31 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird from Australia is found in the North Island, and Canterbury and Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand. In 1898 it was deliberately released into New Zealand to control its primary prey, the gu...
Hadda beetle - Epilachna vigintioctopunctata
Added: 01 Sep 2016
Updated: 29 Oct 2018
This adventive plant eating ladybird is from South East Asia. It has spread to Australia and South America. In January 2010, I found a hadda beetle in an Auckland Park overlooking the port. A specimen had been collected ...
Haloragis gall mite - Aceria victoriae
Added: 15 Mar 2017
Updated: 20 Mar 2017
This endemic gall mite was first found in 1956 in bud galls on its host plant, Toatoa/Shrubby haloragis, Haloragis erecta (Haloragaceae). In 1956 and 1957 bud galls were found in Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Wellington and North...
Haloragis weevil: Rhadinosomus acuminatus
Added: 10 Feb 2016
Updated: 30 Apr 2018
This endemic weevil lives on Shrubby haloragis, Haloragis erecta (Haloragaceae). The larva tunnels through plant stems. The weevil is found where its host plant grows in the North and South Islands and Chatham islands. C...
Hangehange thrips - Sigmothrips aotearoana
Added: 24 Jul 2017
Updated: 31 Jul 2017
This endemic species of thrips is widespread in native habitats in New Zealand. It has only been found feeding on native plants. Conservation status: Widespread in the New Zealand on native plants in native habitats, not...
Harlequin ladybird - Harmonia axyridis
Added: 07 Nov 2016
Updated: 29 Oct 2018
This adventive ladybird of variable appearance was first found in 2016 in Auckland. Its native range is Central and Eastern Asia, but it was deliberately released into USA, Europe, South America and Middle East and has s...
Hebe leaf blister gallfly - Dasineura hebefolia
Added: 11 Apr 2018
Updated: 07 May 2018
This endemic fly induces leaf blister galls in two species of large-leaved Hebe, Veronica species (Plantaginaceae). Based on the presence of galls, it has been found in Auckland, Waikato and Wellington Regions and presum...
Hebe leaf & stem borer - Oreocalus albosparsus
Added: 03 Sep 2018
Updated: 10 Sep 2018
This endemic weevil lives in its Hebe shrub host plant, Veronica macrocarpa (Plantaginaceae). The weevil has been found in West Auckland, though it may live elsewhere on its host plant which is found in coastal and uplan...
Hebe stem gall mite - Dolichotetranychus ancistrus
Added: 02 Feb 2017
Updated: 13 Feb 2017
This endemic gall inducing flat mite has been found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand on its host plants, shrubby Veronica species, previously called Hebe. Though stem galls are common only around Auckland an...
Hook-tip fern looper - Sarisa muriferata
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 04 Sep 2017
This endemic moth is found throughout New Zealand where its two native host plants, leather-leaf fern, Pyrrosia eleagnifolia and hound’s tongue fern, Microsorum pustulatum (Polypodiaceae) occur. It is present in cities a...
Horned beech scale - Solenophora fagi
Added: 27 May 2019
Updated: 10 Jun 2019
The distinctive endemic Horned beech scale insects live on twigs and thin branches on Southern beech (Nothofagaceae) trees. They have been found on four of the five New Zealand species. They were first found in the 1880’...
Hounds tongue fern whitefly - Trialeurodes species 1
Added: 15 Jun 2017
Updated: 25 Jul 2018
This undescribed endemic whitefly has been found in Auckland, Taupo and Dunedin on its native fern host plant, Hounds tongue fern, Microsorum pustulatum (G. Forst.) Copel. (Polypodiaceae). It is rare In Auckland, but com...
Huttons flower fly - Aphanotrigonum huttoni
Added: 22 Mar 2017
Updated: 31 May 2017
This endemic fly is found throughout New Zealand. The adult flies are associated with flowers and are often abundant on flowers of nikau palm Rhopalostylis sapida (Palmae). The larvae live in decaying leaves. Conservatio...
Kahikatea mealybug - Paraferrisia podocarpi
Added: 12 Feb 2018
Updated: 05 Mar 2018
The endemic Kahikatea mealybug was named in 1938 from females found on White pine/Kahikatea, Dacrycarpus dacrydioides and was later found on Rimu, Dacrydium cupressinum, both plant species are in Podocarpaceae. It is fou...
Kaka beak gall mite - Aceria clianthi
Added: 19 Nov 2018
Updated: 30 Sep 2019
This endemic gall mite is found on wild Kaka beak, Clianthus species (Leguminosae) in the North Island. It is also found on cultivated plants in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Conservation status: The m...
Kanuka giant scale - Coelostomidia wairoensis
Added: 01 Mar 2018
Updated: 28 Mar 2018
This endemic scale insect lives on stems of native several trees and shrubs. It is particularly common Kanuka, Kunzea species (Myrtaceae). It is present in native habitats and in parks. It is present in the North and Sou...
Kanuku orange scale - Asterolecanium vitreum
Added: 05 Jun 2019
Updated: 10 Jun 2019
The distinctive endemic Kanuku orange scale insects live on the upper side of leaves of Kanuka. It has been found from Lake Wanaka in the South Island up to the Three Kings Islands. Since the collections were made, the h...
Karaka gall mite - Aculus corynocarpi
Added: 13 Apr 2017
Updated: 31 May 2017
This endemic gall mite is found on its host plant karaka Corynocarpus laevigatusi (Corynocarpaceae) which is present in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The mite and its typical damage to leaves and flower bud...
Karamu flea beetle - Pleuraltica cyanea
Added: 05 Dec 2016
Updated: 19 Dec 2016
This endemic flea beetle is found in both the North and South Islands where its host plant, Glossy karamu, Coprosma robusta (Rubiaceae), grows. Adult beetles feed on new season leaves in summer. Conservation status: Wide...
Karamu leafminer - Acrocercops zorionella
Added: 07 Jan 2013
Updated: 09 Jul 2018
This endemic moth forms leaf mines in its endemic host plants, large-leaved species of Coprosma, and is found in the North Island and South Island. It appears to be restricted to native ecosystems, even occurring in smal...
Karo felted scale - Eriococcus pallidus
Added: 31 Jan 2018
Updated: 14 Feb 2018
This endemic scale insect lives on leaves and stems of many trees and shrubs. It is mainly found on indigenous (native) plants in native habitats and in parks. It is present in the North and South Islands. Conservation s...
Karo felted scale ladybird - Rhyzobius acceptus
Added: 13 Oct 2016
Updated: 26 Nov 2018
Karo felted scale ladybird is an endemic species. It is associated with native forest, but little is known about its distribution and habits. It has only been found feeding on one insect, a species of felted scale (Hemip...
Kauri leafminer - Acrocercops leucocyma
Added: 02 Apr 2013
Updated: 18 Jul 2018
This endemic moth is found in the northern half of the North Island where its endemic host plant, kauri, Agathis australis (Araucariaceae), occurs. It is found in native ecosystems, parks and gardens. The moth was first ...
Kawakawa looper - Cleora scriptaria
Added: 21 Jan 2016
Updated: 30 Apr 2018
This endemic moth is found throughout New Zealand. The green or brown caterpillars feed on young leaves of its favoured host plant, kawakawa, Piper excelsum (Piperaceae) and other native trees and shrubs in native ecosys...
Koebele's ladybird - Rodolia koebelei
Added: 17 Nov 2016
Updated: 31 Oct 2018
This Australian ladybird is found in the North Island of New Zealand. It was first recognised in New Zealand by Peter Maddison in 2003 when he found it in Mangere, Auckland. The earliest known specimen was from a bait tr...
Lacebark gall mite - Eriophyes hoheriae
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 30 Apr 2018
This endemic gall mite has been found in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It induces galls on lace bark trees and shrubs (Hoheria species) and occurs in city gardens and parks as well as native ecosystems. Con...
Lancewood psyllid - Trioza panacis
Added: 06 Apr 2017
Updated: 03 Oct 2019
This endemic psyllid lives in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It occurs in city gardens and parks as well as native ecosystems on its host plants, lancewood, Pseudopanax crassifolius, and closely related, Pse...
Large spotted ladybird - Harmonia conformis
Added: 22 Sep 2016
Updated: 24 Oct 2019
This distinctive adventive ladybird is from Australia and was first released into New Zealand in 1896. It is found in Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, Waikato and Whanganui in the North Island. It is found...
Leather-leaf gall mite - Acerimina pyrrosiae
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 02 Aug 2017
This endemic gall mite induces witches broom galls on its host plant, leather-leaf fern, Pyrrosia eleagnifolia. In the north of New Zealand, the mite has been found in Auckland, Palmerston North, Manawatu Gorge and Rotor...
Leather-leaf spore-eater - Calicotis crucifera
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 12 Sep 2016
This endemic moth is found throughout New Zealand where the caterpillar feeds on spores of its endemic host plant, leather-leaf fern, Pyrrosia eleagnifolia. The moth is present in cities and native ecosystems. Conservati...
Leather-leaf star-miner - Philocryptica polypodii
Added: 14 Sep 2012
Updated: 12 Sep 2016
This endemic moth is found throughout the North Island and in northern South Island where its endemic host plant, leather-leaf fern, Pyrrosia eleagnifoliai , occurs. It makes its distinctive mines in plants in cities and...
Lily aphid - Neomyzus circumflexus
Added: 14 Dec 2017
Updated: 10 Sep 2018
This adventive aphid is found in many countries. It is believed to originate in East Asia. In New Zealand, like in other countries, it may live on a wide variety of plants from many families. It is very polyphagous. It i...
Linear sedge shield bug - Rhopalimorpha (Rhopalimorpha) lineolaris
Added: 08 Nov 2017
Updated: 20 Nov 2017
This endemic shield bug is present in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The Linear sedge shield bugs are mainly found in on sedges and some grasses in open areas and in forests. They feed on the leaves, stems a...
Loew's ladybird - Scymnus loewii
Added: 04 Apr 2019
Updated: 08 Apr 2019
This adventive ladybird comes from North and Central America and was first found in New Zealand in 1941 in Auckland. This small two toned ladybird present in the North Island of New Zealand. Conservation status: This lad...
Biology
