Species: Anoplophora chinensis

English Name: Citrus Longhorn Beetle

Chinese Name: 星天牛

Family: Cerambycidae

Description:

Adults have about 2-4 cm in length, excluding the antennae. The body is shiny black with about 20 white spots on the elytra. The larvae is 4,5-5 cm long, yellowish white in color and has a cylinder body. It is a serious invasive pest as the larvae feed on the inside of trees leaving them weakened.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau: University of Macau Publications Centre.

Species: Polyzonus sinensis

English Name: Blue Longhorn Beetle

Chinese Name: 中華大藍天牛

Family: Cerambycidae

Description:

The Blue Longhorn Beetle has about 2,5 cm in length. It is metallic blue in coloration and has a distinctive longer hind femur and tibia than on the fore or middle legs. This species can be observed in large numbers on bamboo foliage as well as orange trees and Logan fruit trees.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau: University of Macau Publications Centre.

Species: Batocera rubus

English Name: Mango Longhorn Beetle, White Spotted Longhorn Beetle

Chinese Name: 榕八星天牛

Family: Cerambycidae

Description:

This Longhorn Beetle has about 5 cm in length, excluding the antennae. It is easily indentifiable by it’s pair of red marking on the pronotum, darker color and yellowish spots on the elytra (modified, hardened forewings). The imature beetles are wood borers and  make round shaped tunnels in the sapwood and under the bark of fig trees, mango or jackfruit. In Macau, it is a common species of beetle.

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References:

– Easton,... Read more »

Species: Chalcophora japonica

English Name: Large Green Jewel Beetle, Flat-headed Wood-borer

Chinese Name: 松吉丁蟲

Family: Buprestidae

Description:

The adults of this species can reach 2-4 cm in length. The body is bullet-shaped and have black and brown black longitudinal stripes with gold flecks. The larvae, known as Flat-headed Wood-borer, is adapted to woodboring. It has a flattened thorax and a inconspicuous head. The larval stage may last many ears.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau: University of Macau Publications Centre.

Species: Vespa bicolor

English Name: Common Wasp, Black Shield Wasp

Chinese Name: 雙色胡蜂

Family: Vespidae

Description:

This small wasp can be easily distinguished by his bright yellow coloration and a black triangular patch on the thorax. The legs are yellow and the antennae are black. The abdomen may display black stripes. The nest has 25-35 cm in diameter and is almost spherical with arc-shaped overlapping layers on the outer envelope. It can be found in high trees, tree holes, under rocky ledges and underground.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993).... Read more »

Species: Polistes olivaceus

English Name: Common Paper Wasp

Chinese Name: 家馬蜂

Family: Vespidae

Description:

This average-sized wasp has around 1,8-2,4 cm in length. It is all yellow with some black patterning on the abdomen and on the thorax, and can easily be identified by his yellow legs and antennae. The Common Paper Wasp constructs its open nest in trees or under window ledges.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau: University of Macau Publications Centre.

Species: Eristalis tenax

English Name: Hoverfly, Syrphid Fly, Drone Fly

Chinese Name: 長尾管蚜蠅

Family: Syrphidae

Description:

The adult European Hoverfly can be over 1,5 cm in length. It mimics the honey bee but can be easily differentiated because it lack a constricted waist between the thorax and the abdomen, and it only have two wings, instead of four. Males can be distinguished from females because they have larger eyes that almost touch. This species is a common visitor to flowers and can be a significant pollinator.

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References:

– Easton, E.... Read more »

Species: Nyctemera adversata

English Name: Tiger Moth, Ermine Moth

Chinese Name: 粉蝶灯蛾

Family: Arctiidae

Description:

The Tiger Moth has 4,2-5,2 cm in wingspan. The wings are white with dark brown patches. The fore wings have dark brown veins. The body is white with black spots, except for the head, neck and final abdomen which is yellow. This species is common in open forest areas.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau: University of Macau Publications Centre.

Species: Amata polymita

English Name: Tiger Wasp Moth, Tiger-Striped Clearwing Moth

Chinese Name: –

Family: Arctiidae

Description:

This moth has about 3,5 cm in wingspan. The body is yellow and black ringed. Wings are black with yellow veins and transparent patches.  It is apparently active during day and night and can be observed flying over low growing vegetation.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau: University of Macau Publications Centre.

Species: Obeidia tigrata

English Name: Leopard Looper Moth, Orange Magpie Moth, Brown Geometrid Moth

Chinese Name: 長翅尺蛾

Family: Geometridae

Description:

This moth is all yellow with black spots. It resembles the Tiger Moth (family Arctiidae) which is brighter and distasteful to predators, Obeidia tigrata may be protected from predation  by mimicing it. The larvae are looper caterpillars as their body forms a loop when they move over a plant. Adults are common on Taipa hilltop in the spring.

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References:

– Easton, E. R. (1993). The insects of Macau. Macau:... Read more »