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nature file

The MixJune 8

Bacan’s beefy bee a big, boisterous bug

I was recently asked to name the world’s largest bee. This giant is Megachile pluto.
Bacan’s beefy bee a big, boisterous bug
Bacan’s beefy bee a big, boisterous bug
The MixMay 29

A tentacle’s tender embrace

The documentary My Octopus Teacher is a true account of a common South African octopus with which the documentary film-maker and naturalist Craig Foster formed a close acquaintance.
A tentacle’s tender embrace
A tentacle’s tender embrace
The MixMay 22

Fungus behind growths that can fell trees

An Acacia dealbata branch bearing large, brown, lobed, and inflated galls on the mature seed pods was brought to the museum for identification.
Fungus behind growths that can fell trees
Fungus behind growths that can fell trees
The MixMarch 27

Chaste fish doing fine

Ground-breaking research was recently published on the longevity and genetic integrity of the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa), a clonal, parthenogenetic fish that defies the expectations of evolutionary biologists.
Chaste fish doing fine
Chaste fish doing fine
SouthlandMarch 18

Legless females hard to recognise

This excellent photograph of native scale insects on leaves of a southern rata tree was taken by Dr Keith Probert, who also extracted some of the dark brown nymphs from their cases.
Legless females hard to recognise
Legless females hard to recognise
The MixMarch 6

Parasitic wasps make it a bad day to be a spider

Dr Keith Probert took this excellent photograph of a bright red female spider wasp.
Parasitic wasps make it a bad day to be a spider
Parasitic wasps make it a bad day to be a spider
SouthlandJanuary 20

Freshwater clams threaten ecosystem

The gold clam, a southeast Asian freshwater mollusc bivalve shell, has been found in the Waikato River and elsewhere nearby.
Freshwater clams threaten ecosystem
Freshwater clams threaten ecosystem
SouthlandDecember 16

Hoverflies may replace bees as crop pollinators

Hoverflies may replace honeybees as crop pollinators, as bees decline.
Hoverflies may replace bees as crop pollinators
Hoverflies may replace bees as crop pollinators
The MixDecember 12

Hoverflies may replace honeybees as crop pollinators

Hoverflies may replace honeybees as crop pollinators, as bees decline.
Hoverflies may replace honeybees as crop pollinators
Hoverflies may replace honeybees as crop pollinators
SouthlandNovember 4

Useful in a grisly way

I was recently asked to identify some interesting small beetles, 5mm long, with the legs, prothorax and shoulders of the wing cases red
Useful in a grisly way
Useful in a grisly way
SouthlandOctober 1

Disguise master rarely seen

The South Island lichen moth, Ipana egregia (family Geometridae, subfamily Ennominae), is one of our most beautiful and iconic insects.
Disguise master rarely seen
Disguise master rarely seen
The MixSeptember 5

Leaf dimple galls caused by mite

Plant galls are very widespread on leaves.
Leaf dimple galls caused by mite
Leaf dimple galls caused by mite
The MixAugust 18

Orange roughy must be taken off the menu

Modern methods of oceanic fishing, with fishing fleets hauling kilometre-long nets, have caused the decline of numerous marine species, including orange roughy, writes Anthony Harris.
Orange roughy must be taken off the menu
Orange roughy must be taken off the menu
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Sponsored ContentApril 13

Frosted phoenix moth rises

Last month, the frosted phoenix moth, an extraordinarily rare native moth hitherto thought to be extinct, was unwittingly rediscovered on a hotel balcony in Oban, Stewart Island, by a Swedish school teacher with a passion for natural history and extensive training in biology.
Frosted phoenix moth rises
Frosted phoenix moth rises
The MixJune 4

Why insects aren't successful at sea

For well over 200 years, natural historians have been puzzled as to why insects, arguably the most successful terrestrial animals, are so rare in marine ecosystems.
Why insects aren't successful at sea
Why insects aren't successful at sea
The MixDecember 25

Tiny hunting wasps seldom noticed

Recently I was brought for identification tiny hunting wasps less than 3mm long, writes Anthony Harris.
Tiny hunting wasps seldom noticed
Tiny hunting wasps seldom noticed
The MixOctober 2

Sending samples that will survive

Warm spring weather is delivering myriads of insects — mostly attractive and beneficial — and some are brought for identification, writes Anthony Harris.
Sending samples that will survive
Sending samples that will survive
The MixJune 19

Australian moth headed south

Last week, I was sent from Christchurch a photograph of the grass-eating caterpillar of a recently introduced Australian moth. This is the blood-spotted noctuid moth Proteuxoa sanguinipuncta (Guenee, 1852), family Noctuidae, which is native to Australia.
Australian moth headed south
Australian moth headed south