Bellorchestia quoyana

Bellorchestia quoyana (formerly Talorchestia quoyana) is the largest and most common species of sandhopper endemic to New Zealand. It was originally described as Orchestia quoyana in 1840 by French zoologist Henri Milne-Edwards and transferred to the genus Bellorchestia in 2008. Its length is up to 29 millimetres (1.1 in). They help to keep the beaches clean by breaking down any organic material, which is vital for plant succession. They are nocturnal and bury themselves up to 30 centimetres (12 in) during the day (the drier the sand, the deeper they go).

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Bellorchestia quoyana being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Orchestoidea tuberculata
• Megalorchestia pugettensis
• Megalorchestia columbiana
• Megalorchestia minor
• Talitrus saltator
• Megalorchestia californiana

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Malacostraca

Order

Amphipoda

Family

Talitridae

Genus

Bellorchestia

Species

Bellorchestia quoyana

More species