A  33-year-old man fatally attacked at an Auckland bus stop - was a US entomology PHD student, possibly out looking for insects

He was killed on Meadowbank's St Johns Road on Saturday night.

Police say they're hunting two offenders -- with motive for the assault unclear.

Our newsroom understands the victim had been here about four years - studying at the University of Auckland.

Sources say he was known to scour Meadowbank beaches, reserves and bus stops for insects, often at night.

Last year, English-born entomologist Stephen Thorpe was killed in Blockhouse Bay - during his daily search for specimens.