Prodontria lewisii
The Cromwell chafter beetle has been described as the cutest beetle in the world. These flightless beetles are nocturnal and fussy about the conditions in which they’ll emerge – they only come out when the humidity is right and there is a Norwest wind blowing!
The Cromwell chafer beetle is entirely restricted to a reserve in Cromwell. It is the only beetle in the world with its own reserve! Cromwell chafers can only live on inland sand dune systems. The larvae feed on the roots of plants and the adults on the foliage. On summer nights when the conditions are right for the adults to emerge, the reserve comes alive with a carpet of crawling beetles. If the wind suddenly changes or the temperature drops, the beetles will vanish underground in a matter of seconds!
Check these links for more info on the Cromwell Chafer Beetle in NZ
Wikipedia: Information on the Cromwell Chafer Beetle
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