ISSUE 11 | SUMMER 2014

XMASPLUS ON PG 16: FOREST RINGLETS GIFT IDEAS Now living the high life ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: • Gardening with Jane Carver – Buddleias for • Of lichens and mosses – Brian Patrick talks about • Monarch tagging stories from around New Zealand • Saint Kentigern’s amazing garden 2 data we collect and the From the importance of this project nationally. GUEST EDITOR We have a great article about the beautiful Forest ast month I was particularly Ringlet which is unique in Ldelighted to have witnessed its habit of flying in forests. my swan plants deliver their Also in this issue we update very first Monarch butterfly this you about Buddleia and, season and, more excitedly, in particular, its status with CONTENTS without my help. This was particularly regards to the National Pest Plant Cover photo: Forest Ringlet, (Dodonidia special as last summer my plants didn’t Accord (NPPA). We also introduce you to helmsii). Photo by Melissa Hutchinson play host to a single caterpillar. Due, I the Geometridae family of believe, to the abundance of predating moths; the larvae of certain 2 Editorial . species feed on moss However the plants and lichens. Part 2 of our 3 Cabbage White project didn’t entirely escape article on the challenge in Opunake Butterfly Club their job as a food source finding nectar sources though. A friend gave me for butterflies and moths White Admiral update three wee caterpillars which (and bees) and what’s been happening at St 4 Now living the high life I raised on a fresh bouquet of swan plant cuttings in a Kentigern School, as well as the 6 Gardening with Jane Carver – vase on my mantelpiece. successful open day held at Lincoln’s Buddleias for butterflies This method of raising caterpillars organic Biological Husbandry Unit (BHU) caused more than its share of to celebrate the diversity of NZ’s moths 8 Of lichens and mosses amusement by visiting friends and and butterflies. family. Upon spying a vase with If you’re looking for some ideas for a 9 The magic of nectar (part 2) greenery rather than your more usual Christmas gift, we have some fabulous 10 What’s happening with the colourful display they would go over to ideas on our back page. Lastly, we will be marking our ten tagging data investigate. They would find, particularly in the later stages, the bouquet year birthday in June next year and like 11 Tagging stories from around NZ supported three very big and chubby all birthdays we intend to celebrate! caterpillars. Needless to say, I was both More will be revealed early next year. In 12 Saint Kentigern College delighted and saddened when eventually the meantime, sit back and enjoy this and the butterfly lady each of my caterpillars went through summer edition of the 2014 magazine. – Rebecca Bibby 14 Butterfly day at Lincoln a normal pupation stage and then flew away as butterflies. flapping success So observing a garden swan plant 15 Photography tip from give rise to an adult Monarch butterfly Angela Moon-Jones was particularly special for me. There is nothing quite as delightful as seeing Did you know? nature doing what nature does best. With lower Monarch numbers last 16 Goodies to buy nationwide this was reflected in the number of tags issued as part of our Monarch tagging programme. In this Editor/Secretary: Jacqui Knight issue we have an article about what [email protected] actually happens with the tagging Art Director: Kristie Rogers, BHU open day [email protected] Treasurer: Carol Stensness A big thank you [email protected] Please support Advertising: Angela Moon-Jones to our magazine [email protected] sponsors. We couldn’t ISSN 2324-1993 (Print) OUR SPONSORS do it without you. ISSN 2324-2000 (Online) Published by: Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust, PO Box 44100 Pt Chevalier, Auckland 1246 www.nzbutterflies.org.nz [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ mbnzt Twitter: @NZButterflies Pinterest: pinterest.com/mbnzt

Printed in New Zealand on Cocoon 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks 3 White Admiral Update Cabbage White Landcare Research has recently released over 40 Honshu White Admirals (Limenitis glorifica) in the Waikato region to control Japanese PROJECT Honeysuckle, and hopes to release some in Auckland soon. ecently the MBNZT was approached The butterflies are being reared by by Sean Ryan, a graduate student R Landcare Research in containment, from the University of Notre Dame, and as they emerge from pupation are Indiana, USA. A citizen science project taken to specific sites for release. (http://pierisproject.org) involves “We will be checking to see collecting Cabbage White butterflies Sean Ryan that fertile eggs are laid at these (Pieris rapae) from all over the world. sites,” said Lynley Hayes, who is a The research team is looking for genes “In short, this research will help us programme leader in Biocontrol at involved in local adaption to climate and learn about how species respond to Landcare Research. “All going well, also hopes to reconstruct the invasion environmental changes, such as climate the butterflies will establish at these of the small Cabbage White, finding change, and also better understand field sites and we will then be able to out its origins. They hope to find out if the role evolution plays in species redistribute them to all regions.” it has invaded some countries multiple invasions,” said Sean. If any members of the MBNZT are times and/or from multiple locations by If you can help by sending samples interested in helping with the releases sequencing the genome and measuring to Sean, please check out the website at other sites, please register your the morphology from contributions http://pierisproject.org or email Sean at interest by sending an email to trust@ worldwide. YOU can help! [email protected]. monarch.org.nz, subject “Honshu White Admiral” and detailing your experience in raising butterflies/ Opunake Butterfly Club plus whether you are close to areas of Japanese Honeysuckle growing as a Recently the Opunake positive results. I was really pest plant. Butterfly Club was motivated to take this further nominated for a 2014 by the inspirational Te South Taranaki Youth to Waka McLeod who was the Work Award recently. As keynote speaker.” you will have read in an John said that Te Waka earlier issue, John Smith has a passion for working has been working with with young people and disadvantaged youth exploring the influence a locally on a riparian John Smith positive community can and Monarch butterfly have on their lives. At the planting project under event the Butterfly Club received a the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs. certificate in the category of Education “The importance of the butterflies and Training Provider. and the effect they have on our lives is As Opunake is celebrating 150 years being elevated to another level,” said as a community next year, John is John Smith. “One of the main messages keen to host a display in local libraries Honshu White Admiral (Limenitis glorifica. that came through from the evening or schools during the festivities. The Photo by Quentin Paynter. was that positive relations provide MBNZT will support his initiative.

From time to time the MBNZT sends out email updates – news of events or special offers. If you’re new to the internet, and not receiving these, you can sign up for the email list so you don’t miss out: http://www.monarch.org.nz/monarch/wp-login.php?action=register

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By XX

NOW LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

By Brian & Hamish Patrick species name. Considering the times it butterfly is (or was) distributed widely erhaps NZ’s most beautiful and is forgivable and the journal editors bear from Northland south to Lewis Pass Penigmatic butterfly, the Forest some responsibility too. in inland North Canterbury and the Ringlet with a wingspan of between Later (1884) Englishman Arthur Butler southern end of the Paparoa Range 44-50 mm, has always intrigued and re-described the species and erected on the West Coast. It is truly a forest captivated entomologists. Discovered the new monotypic genus Dodonidia for butterfly, being found in forest glades too late to be included in NZ’s first book it. He followed Fereday and used the from near sea-level to above treeline. on butterflies by Castle Hill runholder species name helmsi but with a double Its habit of flying into forest is unique John Enys in 1880 (Catalogue of the “i”. We have chosen to respect Fereday’s in NZ butterflies and probably explains Butterflies of New Zealand), it was original spelling with the single “i” in the why adults often have such a ragged first recorded in the Paparoa Ranges combination Dodonidia helmsi. appearance. between Greymouth and Westport a It is surprising that it took so long to Its closest known relatives are a year later in 1881 by beetle collector be discovered by entomologists as the suite of butterflies found high up in Richard Helms and described by Christchurch lawyer Richard Fereday in George Gibbs in his fine book on NZ butterflies (1980) 1883. Fereday described and figured it traces the source of Butler’s Dodonidia. Apparently in the Transactions of the New Zealand he chose it because of the superficial resemblance Institute, the main scientific journal of the of the Forest Ringlet to a group of Indian butterflies time. Interestingly it appeared as “Genus in the genus Dodona (Riodinidae). But the name is (?) - helmsi, n.sp.” – a species name with appropriate as Dodona was an ancient city in northwest no genus with Fereday humbly stating Greece where a grove of oak trees had extraordinary that he did not know what genus it powers of prophecy and the Dodonides were the belonged to. priestesses who interpreted and delivered the oracles. “…the genus of the I do not Possibly it was the rustling of bronze objects hanging venture to determine, not having access from these trees that were consulted from time to time to the descriptions of the various genera when important events were imminent. This was an of the family to which it belongs”. important site consulted by many peoples from about For some this makes his description 2000 BC until the spread of Christianity caused the invalid, but for us his intention is clear, demise of the site about 400 AD when the Romans cut down the last ancient oak. his honesty admirable and we have The modern town of Dodoni marks the area. forgiven this lapse and accepted his 5 The Forest Ringlet has an interesting feeding strategy with THREAT RANKINGS its choice of larval foodplants. In the North Island its eggs The Department of Conservation (DoC), are laid on the tall sedge G. pauciflora in the lowlands and in line with international organisations shorter G. procera at higher altitude in both North and such as the International Union for South Islands. While in the South Island two tall grasses the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), cheesemanii and C. conspicua are utilised in maintains, updates and regularly addition to a sedge as a larval hostplant, providing a much publishes comprehensive lists of all larger possible area of occupancy. In the lowlands a single threatened and at risk species across all generation of butterflies is produced each year, but at taxonomic groups from bats to beetles, higher altitude it takes at least two years for the lifecycle to and liverworts to lilies. Small groups of be completed. This disparity has exasperated the decline Forest Ringlet on specialists meet regularly to assist DoC of the species with no annual butterflies appearing in the by Brian Patrick in this massive process to re-assess the extinct lowland populations and the isolated and generally inaccessible upland previous rankings and add additional populations only appearing every 2-3 years, it is easy to see why it appears to have taxa that now meet the criteria. A phase disappeared completely. But they are still out there. We have visited Lewis Pass of re-assessment is occurring right now regularly over the past twelve years and in some years on perfect days we find and the first new lists will be published none, while in other years we have observed up to 26 butterflies a day! We have individually by DoC this year. found the same situation on Mount Ruapehu in the North Island. The ranking we use in this essay for the Forest Ringlet is from the 2014 list that has not yet been the mountains of New Guinea. There butterfly. We have recent records from published but will be soon. We are six species of elegant butterflies in the 18 places where populations of the allowed to share it with you because genus Erycinidia have been described butterfly persist, stretching from the far Brian Patrick is on the Lepidoptera Panel but are poorly known in terms of their north of the North Island south to Lewis and has permission to share it here. distribution and ecology. Between 1500- Pass in the South Island. Based on its Here is a summary of the rankings: 2700 metres, in the high altitude forests documented decline and disappearance • Extinct; self explanatory of New Guinea there are many familiar from so many familiar places the • Data Deficient; strongly suspected insects and plants including the closest Department of Conservation in its to be threatened but not enough relatives of our Copper butterflies, 2014 list of about 200 threatened NZ data available to rank them at familiar beech forests Lepidoptera has ranked present. Examples are species and tree ferns. Both our the Forest Ringlet as never recollected since the original Coppers and Forest “At Risk, Relict”. collection that led to them being Ringlet have no close We were surprised described relatives in Australia. in 2012 while helping • Threatened: these three categories Sadly the Forest out with Forest & have precise numerical thresholds Ringlet has suffered a Bird’s Denniston that I only summarise here major decline in both Plateau BioBlitz to Nationally Critical; very small numbers and range locate a colony of to small population size, area of over the past 70 years, Forest Ringlets in occupancy less than 10 ha, and disappearing from small forested gullies predicted decline in population of almost all of its low at 600-850 metres. 50-70% or greater altitude sites and now The larval foodplant Nationally Endangered; small to only numerous in upland Gahnia procera was moderate population size, area of areas relatively free of abundant there too and occupancy less than 100 ha, and human disturbance and showed tell-tale signs predicted decline of population introduced predators of caterpillar damage. 10-70% that parasitise or This was a new record Nationally Vulnerable; moderate to predate its caterpillars. for the species and large natural population size, area of The Forest Ringlet has Forest Ringlet habitat interestingly is not far occupancy less than 10,000 ha, and by Brian Patrick two natural parasitoids from where the butterfly small increase (10-50%) in decline which can’t be implicated in its demise, was first discovered by Helms. We have in population or 30-70% for large but it is a completely different story returned to the general area and found populations with the introduced wasps. Introduced larvae surprisingly common over the • At Risk: predatory vespid wasps (and possibly early spring on the Gahnia under the Declining; slower rate of decline paper wasps) are probably the culprit in shrubland canopy from 600-700 metres compared to threatened species and its demise at low altitude as apparently on range tops. starting from a large population base suitable habitat complete with abundant While there are records of the adult Recovering; at least 10% increase in larval foodplant is still widespread. So butterfly emerging as early as October population or area of occupancy over while habitat degradation and clearance the many upland places that we know it next ten years or three generations will have had an impact on the species, from have adults emerging between mid- following a documented decline the suite of introduced wasps present is January and early March with a peak Relict; taxa that have undergone a unsustainable for the species. in early February. This is probably an documented decline within the last Fortunately many upland parts of artefact of upland populations emerging 1000 years and now occupy less both North and South Island (600–1200 much later than the former lowland than 10% of their former range metres) still hold viable populations populations. But there is some hope Naturally Uncommon; taxa confined of the Forest Ringlet but this needs for the future – a reliable entomologist to a naturally small area, or habitat monitoring as its many predators are still spotted one in North Shore City within that is naturally scattered and small on the move. And global warming may the last few years, so maybe they are in extent, that is not the result of hasten this process and provide no safe making a comeback in some areas and human disturbance haven for this gorgeous and enchanting re-claiming some of their former haunts. 6 Gardening Buddleia weyeriana ‘Goldenglow’ With Jane Carver BUDDLEIAS

for butterflies Buddleia lindleyana

Buddleia madagascariensis annas

Buddleia davidii ‘Pink Delight’’

Growing Buddleia species Buddleia auriculata Buddleias have an extraordinary From South Africa. Evergreen. Very attraction for butterflies during the day valuable winter flowering species, and moths at night. I have noticed that fragrant. Hardy to -5°C. Can grow very many butterflies will ignore plants that large in NZ conditions, so keep new are usually visited, if there is a Buddleia growths trimmed back each year to Buddleia weyeriana ‘Rainbow’ in flower nearby. At night it is fun to prevent B. auriculata from becoming a go out with a torch and see how many giant that could overshadow your house. moths are taking part in the nectar party. Buddleia weyeriana Buddleias are easy to grow (some say From Asia. Lower growing to 2.5m. too easy), and in the case of B. davidii Yellow to buff apricot in colour, some have become a terrible pest in many flowers with an attractive lilac cast. of our dry river basins in some parts Flowers begin later than B. davidii types. of NZ. If you intend to grow B. davidii Do not require such intensive pruning. hybrids remember to check with your Winter hardy. local regional council to find out if this is permissible, and to cut them right back Buddleia madagascariensis Buddleia auriculata in autumn/winter so that the shrub will As the name suggests, from remain low enough to dead-head the Madagascar. Very unusual starry flowers thereby preventing them seeding panicles of yellow to orange flowers in unwanted areas. If you can commit beginning early season in August/ to this routine, you will thoroughly enjoy September and flowers continue in many growing Buddleias. places through until autumn. Buddleia lindleyana Propagating Buddleias From China. Semi-deciduous. Has fine Buddleia are rarely offered by leaves and finer flowered than other nurseries but easy to find on varieties but only has a few flowers at a TradeMe or from willing sharers time. Hardy to -10°C. Buddleia ‘Lochinch’ on the MBNZT forum. Buddleia Hybrid between B.fallowiana and B. Buddleia crispa davidii. A compact shrub much like are so easy to root from cuttings Comes from the mountains of B. fallowiana. Very hardy and flowers and these can be taken at any Afghanistan. Requires a very well February/March. Hardy to -15°C. time of the growing season. Stick drained soil. Flowers from spring through them directly into gritty soil and into autumn. Unusual greyish tomentose Buddleia nivea keep watered. Otherwise place in (furry) leaves. Hardy to -5°C. Comes from the Himalayan Mountains. any well-drained soil in pots and A narrow flower spike. Tolerates dry use bottom heat to assist root Buddleia fallowiana conditions well. Flowers January/ Comes from the Himalayan mountains, formation, but it is not necessary. February Hardy to -15°C. Ensure they do not go to seed as does well in dry rocky places. Flowers this is usually how they become an February/March. Fast growing and Buddleia globosa environmental nuisance. smaller than B. davidii but equally From the mountainous regions of South attractive to butterflies. Hardy to -10°C. America Flowers are a round globe/ 7 regional council on the status of B. development of the new Regional WARNING davidii. Pest Management Plan (RPMP) and Buddleia is currently not listed on Dr Imogen Bassett, Biosecurity the MBNZT hopes to work with the the National Pest Plant Accord, Advisor at the Auckland Council advised Biosecurity team as a stakeholder, (NPPA) which was developed in that B. davidii is a Surveillance Pest as the Buddleia is such a significant 2001 as a co-operative agreement Plant in the Auckland region, which plant for nectaring butterflies. It would between the Nursery and Garden means that it is illegal to offer it for appear to those who have cultivars of Industry Association, sale or exhibition, or to B. davidii that these are not invasive, Buddleia davidii. regional councils and Photo by Peter Clarke propagate, distribute, breed although the original specimen with the government departments or multiply it. pale purple flowers certainly is. with biosecurity “If you already have an In the Northland region the Council responsibilities. It existing Buddleia plant in (NRC) supports community initiatives identifies plants that are your garden, though, there to get rid of Buddleia plants for unwanted organisms is no legal requirement to ecological reasons. under the Biosecurity Act remove it. However, we Buddleia was on the original NPPA 1993. Then throughout still encourage people to in 2001 but removed in 2006 as it was the country each regional replace Buddleia with a seen as too widespread. A beetle, council has developed its own Regional plant such as Hebe which is good for the Cleopus japonicus, was introduced Pest Management Plan to cover flora butterflies and the wider environment.” as a biological control in 2006 and and fauna species that are problems, At the Auckland Council they are have had some success in limiting the and it is advised to check with your currently in the early stages of the spread of B. davidii.

ball shape in panicles that are usually years shoots! Hardy to -20°C. Buddleia davidii yellow/orange. Not such an attraction to Buddleia officinalis The favourite and most common butterflies as the other Buddleia species. From China. Rarely seen in NZ. Tender species...there are so many colour Hardy to -10°C. evergreen shrub with pink flowers in late varieties to choose from, each of us Buddleia alternifolia winter or early spring; August/September has a preference. Personally I like From China this has quite a different likes a sunny position...does well in dry one called ‘Dark Knight’ which is a appearance to the other species. Small soils. Hardy to -5°C. luminous dark purple. Does not do leaves and long drooping flower panicles Buddleia alata so well in the warmer regions, most in November/December. Good in dry From China. Flowers in mid-summer and varieties flower during February and conditions. Prune after flowering as next does well on dry soils. Not seen often in March when pruned in the spring. years flowers appear along previous NZ gardens. Hardy to -15°C degrees.

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Call 0800 PLANTSoutwww.kings.co.nz plant nectar-rich flowers and host plants in hat appeal to different a variety of plants t www.kings.co.nz the sunniest part of the garden. ies. butterfly and moth spec r basking and shelter • Choose plants that will bloom at different times • Provide a sunny spot fo a FREE copy of your Butterflythroughout the year. Try experimenting with for the wind and rain. *Conditions apply, see instore for details. a variety of plants that appeal to different food for the adult • Nectar plants provide . butterfly and moth species. st plants feed caterpillars butterflies, while ho • Provide a sunny spot for basking and shelter are also host plants, Some nectar plants for the wind and rain. our huge range of butterflye.g. swan plants. • Nectar plants provide food for the adult butterflies, while host plants feed caterpillars. Some nectar plants are also host plants, Garden Guide and checke.g. swan plants. out ourattracting huge range plants. of butterfly attracting plants.

Kings proudly supporting The Moths and Butterflies Kingsof proudly New Zealand supporting Trust The Moths and Butterflies Find your nearest store at www.kings.co.nz of New Zealand Trust Find your nearest store at www.kings.co.nz 8 OF LICHENS and Mosses By Brian Patrick Z has a spectacular moth fauna regarded as backyard species. Nin the Family Geometridae with Like H. cinerearia, H. mutabilis at least 320 species making it our and H. christinae their larvae are richest family. Many are day-flying known from rock faces where colourful species while others are they have been seen to feed on moss-green inhabitants of our mosses. But interestingly their evergreen forests. While the generally larvae also feed on such plants as sombre-coloured adults of the genus Pimelea in open dry areas. I do not Helastia are inconspicuous, their know H. farinata described from larvae are distinctive and intriguing Wellington. with numerous protrubances and Another species pair of colours to perfectly match their Helastia species involves Helastia surroundings. cymozeucta (North Island and The Geometrid genus Helastia northern half of South Island) and contains 18 described species H. cryptica (southern South Island). according to a recent revision of Both have attractive adults that the genus (1986) and a further four are found in forest and shrubland recently discovered species making habitats. The larvae have rarely been a total of 22, all of which are endemic found but appeared to be associated to this country. Twenty of these with lichens, dead leaves perched on species are found in the South Island shrubs or mosses. with the other two are confined The recent observation by Rod to the North Island and Chatham Morris of a gorgeous Helastia Islands. Most are grey and white larvae on Weymouthia mollis – the species most often found in drylands hanging moss - in forest at Makarora on rock outcrops, grasslands or in western Otago is likely the shrubland, or in moister forests. larvae of H. cryptica and matches Where known the larvae feed mainly observations by John Dugdale in on mosses or possibly lichens also, the upper South Island of likely but appear to supplement this with H. cymozeucta larvae feeding on Above from top: feeding on dead leaves and some the same moss. Adult Helastia cinerearia, a species typical of rock faces herbs or low-growing shrubs. Two species (H. ohauensis and where the slender and cryptic larvae feed on mosses such as Grimmia. Only the small and common H. salmoni) are strictly alpine and Helastia cinerearia and less are found in small parts of the South Helastia cryptica common H. mutabilis appear to Island mountains with the former in Helastia triphragma have a nationwide distribution with the mountains of the central South the rest having discrete distributions Island to 1740 metres and the latter Above three images courtesy of Landcare Research Ltd. in the South Island (H. christinae, in the alpine zone of Fiordland and Photos by Birgit E. Rhode. Note scale bar is 1 cm. H. scissa, H. angusta, H. expolita, western Otago from 1250-1850 H. clandestina and four undescribed metres. species), or shared between North Much remains to be learned of this and South Island in western montane fascinating genus including what areas (H. plumbea and H. alba). are the larvae of Helastia triphragma One attractive species, Helastia doing on the shrub Helichrysium triphragma, is widespread in dry lanceolatum? Adults appear to be rocky areas from the Wellington closely associated with this shrub coastline south to Otago in the but young larvae will not feed on eastern South Island, whereas the its leaves! My current theory is that similar but smaller H. siris is also a the larvae of H. triphragma and the resident of the Wellington coastline closely related H. angusta and but occurs on the Chatham Islands H. expolita (and probably H. siris as well. Two similar-looking species and H. clandestina too) feed on H. semsignata (North Island) and the flowers ofHelichrysum shrubs H. corcularia (South Island) are (H. depressum, H. intermedium) our most common species of this and perhaps later feed on mosses Above: Larva of Helastia cryptica on hanging genus and along with H. cinerearia or lichens growing on nearby rock moss Weymouthia mollis at Makarora, are the only species that could be faces or shrubs. western Otago (photograph by Rod Morris) 9

THE MAGIC OF NECTAR (part 2) By Jacqui Knight. Photos by Sally Phillips A Monarch on Dahlia (above) and on Salvia (below).

n the last issue I wrote of what I’d learned about nectar in breeders had nectar production high on their lists of values! Iplants for butterflies. This discussion is covered in our Create Butterfly Habitat In a study at the University of Kentucky a few years ago one course on line. In the meantime, if you are looking for more heirloom Zinnia proved to be a butterfly magnet. Lilliput, a plants for your butterfly garden or habitat, don’t look for a list or cultivar developed in the 1890s, attracted nearly 20 butterflies, specific plants. Here are my recommendations: while other Zinnias got fewer than half that number. It would be exciting to know the secret this Zinnia holds. 1. Look around your immediate community for flowers on To please the market plant growers which butterflies are nectaring. Not just resting but enjoying try to solve ‘issues’ with plants. a feed of nectar from the flowers. If these plants Everyone loves blackberries (fruit) but have been grown for a long time in the one locality no-one likes the thorns – hence the they have already adapted to the climate and soil thornless blackberry. Similarly breeders conditions and may out-produce modern cultivars. emphasise specific traits in flowering Keen gardeners are usually happy to share plants plants: perfume, flower colour, size and with you – whether it is cuttings, seedlings or seed. shape, disease resistance and habit 2. Appreciate the value of weeds. If they’re not being examples. But has the quantity a danger or illegal in your garden then let them be. and quality of nectar been overlooked or You don’t have to follow the trends in gardening; the ignored? After all, bees and butterflies survival of the planet is more important than being don’t have money to spend. fashionable. Dr Keith Hammett, thinks so. “I 3. Look for stockists of wildflowers and heirloom seriously doubt that any breeding is varieties of plants. Remember that flowering fruit undertaken to increase nectar in any and vegetables also offer nectar for butterflies and plant,” he said. “But while flower size bees too. Three excellent sources are Kings Seeds and colours are easy traits to breed for, (www.kingsseeds.co.nz), Koanga Institute (www. things like scent, nectar production and koanga.org.nz) and Wildflower World www.wildflowerworld.( disease resistance are much harder and are difficult to see or co.nz). appreciate at point of sale.” Mary Parkinson of Te Puna Quarry Park Butterfly Garden was a member of the International Plant Propagators Society for several years when the family were growing fruit tree seedlings in the Bay of Plenty. She thinks some plant breeders consider nectar an important value to retain when they are breeding new varieties. Mary and I had an interesting experience while we were in the USA. On a back country road we came across a woman selling plants, mostly annuals. We were surprised to see how many butterflies were enjoying theCelosia plumosa... and yet we had never seen a butterfly near the same species here in NZ – even though the plants look identical. We suspect that what we saw was an heirloom plant. Possibly the NZ equivalent has been modified and consequently lost its nectar value. That’s why heirloom plants and wildflowers are so important for butterflies. While a lot of work, research and development goes into making plants appeal to humans, wouldn’t it be great if all 10 WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH THE tagging data By Cheryl Krull Photo by Anna Barnett

any of our members have been A small tagging project was association with humans and their Minvolved with the Monarch butterfly undertaken here in New Zealand in gardens. They can’t be thought of as tagging project over the last nine years. the late 1960s by Auckland Museum today’s ‘canaries in the coal mine’. This project aims to find out about the entomologist Keith Wise. However, this Therefore, any negative impacts we Monarch’s dispersal, movements and project did not yield the results Keith observe occurring between wasps and overwintering behaviour. expected and many questions still Monarchs are likely to be occurring in Monarchs are tagged by placing a remain unanswered about the dispersal, other less conspicuous and possibly numbered sticker on the central discal migration and overwintering behaviour of vulnerable invertebrate species. This cell of one of the hindwings. The details this species. data could be particularly useful of the tagged and released Monarchs are The MBNZT has been trying to in highlighting the threat invasive then recorded on our online database. answer these questions through the wasps pose to all native invertebrate Butterflies that are recovered with a tag tagging programme with the help of our communities. are also recorded through this database dedicated members. Lastly, we can also use the tagging (by clicking on ‘Reporting Butterfly We are currently in the process of data to determine movement patterns Sighting’). If you log in to the MBNZT establishing a Masters student from and distance and direction of Monarch website and click on the ‘Research’ tab Auckland University of Technology dispersal. This data would give us a and then ‘Tag Recoveries’ you can see to analyse the extensive dataset clearer picture of Monarch movement all the results for recovered tags for each that our citizen science project has behaviour in New Zealand. We could year. produced. The student will specialise use this data incorporated with weather A Monarch tagging project in North in GIS (Geospatial Information Studies) and vegetation information to model America has been running since the and as such have the skills required Monarch dispersal around the country, 1930s and the majority of recovered to accurately map the data that our highlighting areas that are optimum tags from this project appear in Mexico. members have obtained. We would habitat for Monarchs. Early each year ‘Monarch Watch’ like to use this information to answer a Using this data we may also be able to personnel visit the overwintering sites number of different questions: determine the most likely overwintering where they recover tags (at a price of Firstly, through the use of some spots for Monarchs in New Zealand by approximately NZ$7-8 per tag) from complex statistical models we may be accurately mapping and modelling the the Mexican locals who may spend able to determine the population size movements of overwintering individuals. hours searching for them. This data has of New Zealand Monarch butterflies These results could be used to ensure enabled scientists to determine that the and the fluctuation that may have taken the protection of key Monarch habitat North American Monarch population has place over the years tagging has been and overwintering areas. declined by 90 percent over the last two conducted. If we can obtain data from The Trust thanks all the dedicated decades. other institutions on numbers, we members who’ve been involved to date Facts like this have inspired the may also be able to determine how wasp and would welcome the participation of creation of a three-country task force numbers have affected the Monarch more individuals and classes – check between Canada, the United States and population. out the website. We hope to be able to Mexico to save the Monarch and stop Monarch butterflies are considered update you in the next couple of years logging in the over-wintering habitat in an ‘indicator species’, due to their with exciting results. Keep up the good Mexico (one of the greatest threats). conspicuous nature and close work! 11 Tagging stories from around NZ

here are a wide variety of people do each day is to rush up to Anne in the Hawkes Bay is another teacher Tup and down NZ tagging Monarch their caterpillar to check its tagging. “I got into tagging Monarchs purely by butterflies each Autumn. Mary is based progress.” accident, when my class read a School Journal at Te Puna Quarry Park in Tauranga John, a retired story about it. To keep the students enthused I and each season lets thousands of entomologist in Gisborne, signed up so they could have a go. They loved tagged Monarchs go. Maureen has allows pupae to emerge in it, but as a result I got hooked! She spent many used Monarchs during her eight years his office and gives them a happy afternoon chasing butterflies with a as a Reading Recovery Teacher at a three hours to dry. “Then I net and found it really exciting when some kept North Shore primary school to motivate pick them up carefully and coming back, even weeks later. “My husband students in their oral, reading and written tag them,” he said. “We and grown up children also became interested.” language. The children release them Tagging butterflies was easy once you have have benefited immensely “The first time on a hanging tagged a few and got into a system. from being able to have Impatiens plant real life experiences with is a bit nerve- outside no all stages of the Monarch’s wracking,” said matter what the weather is. from Payless Plastics. “I tape the leaf development. “Children get Margaret. “Using They stay there until they that the caterpillars have “J-ed” on onto to choose a newly hatched your fingers in take off at their leisure.” sticks. I can easily rear 100 pupae per caterpillar from the butterfly Xanthe said that students box.” house or school grounds, a scissor grip from the college help her Margaret says “I love putting my finger name it and keep it in the works well.” tag. “They are quite nervous in front of a Monarch and have them classroom for their daily at first, but after one or two happily walk onto it. So trusting. So Reading Recovery session,” she said. tries they become quite proficient.” beautiful. I personally think the Monarch “Often children are unable to verbalise Jennifer said that a man in his 90’s chrysalis with its golden dots is one of a story prior to writing but with the who lived nearby has been releasing the most beautiful sights in nature.” caterpillars in residence they have butterflies in early winter for years. “We Most people find it easy entering the no trouble describing what ‘Johnny’ share plant material and caterpillars data but you do need to be computer or ‘Stripy’ were doing. Their science when the going gets tough because of savvy. One woman without a computer understanding increased and they are overlaying or plants damaged and so does the physical tagging and then often able to tag their butterfly before on.” She raises her last instar caterpillars gives the data to her daughter to enter releasing it. The first thing my students in a collapsible, mesh-sided plastic box Continued on page 13

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A Go Gardening gift card can be used to buy everything from plants to pots to giftware to garden tools and accessories. Available from 170+ Go Gardening retailers nationwide and online at www.gardengiftcards.co.nz Saint Kentigern College is an Independent Presbyterian 12 day and boarding school with girls and boys in Years 7–13 attending (ages 11–18). The college has a large campus in Pakuranga, 16 kilometres from the centre of Auckland. Students enjoy a park-like setting bordering the waters of the Tamaki Estuary.

SAINT KENTIGERN COLLEGE and the butterfly lady By Xanthe-Jane Noble hen I was five I found a caterpillar might make a difference. there is a national Monarch Watch Win the garden, put it in a music box We have created a ‘Butterfly Garden’ programme which uses thousands of and forgot about it. It was Christmas at the College over the last three ‘citizen scientists’ to track the migration day when I next opened the box – out years – with a five-year plan to gain routes and discover why the population fluttered a butterfly… pure magic. certification from the MBNZT. There are is down by 95%! Listening to students in assembly talk some wonderful species here in NZ and At Saint Kentigern, Duke of Edinburgh passionately about ‘leaving a legacy’ I with a 95% decline in Monarch butterfly students have become citizen scientists, wondered what we could achieve in our numbers we all need to take action! tagging butterflies and weeding the educational arena that would incorporate Over the last three summers the garden beds in their lunch breaks a love of butterflies and their desperate gardens have been filled with the as part of their service to others. plight in the world today. Something that signature orange and black Monarch Big containers have appeared in the butterflies and their green and gold staffroom for collecting coffee grounds chrysalises. We have protected and and the Technology department has released over 300 first generation made planters and benches from timber butterflies which have enjoyed the supplied by a local merchant. protection the College gardens have We hope to make a difference here at given them and the perfect summer Saint Kentigern, to raise awareness and weather we have been experiencing. encourage students to get involved in Students have cleared areas of land the national research project concerning in the Horticultural area and planted Monarchs in NZ. We even have three over 300 milkweed, four different caterpillar castles in the Science Lab species including swan plants. We have and Year 7 classrooms, and swan plants also planted nettles for the Admiral being grown to give to students to take butterflies and parents and friends have home this summer. The butterfly gardens supported us to interplant the beds with are here to stay…It’s been a busy few nectar-producing flowers. Signs have years and my thanks go to everyone who been made and created by students to has helped and contributed! provide an outdoor learning environment The future? It’s a bit of a legacy in the for visiting classes, especially from the making. pre-school. The children have named me We must remain committed to the the ‘Butterfly Lady’. Japanese students conservation of these fragile creatures have made origami butterflies and our and their threatened habitats – Felipe Librarian has created a website and Calderón, President of Mexico. Main Pic: Preschool visit. supplied beautiful books. Above top: What it was like when we started. Little did I realise what a huge Mrs Xanthe-Jane Noble is teacher in Above: Three years on the gardens undertaking the gardens were and how charge, Lepidoptera Club and Trustee, are well established. fulfilling the results would be. In America Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust. 13 Tagging stories continued From page 11 citizen scientist participating in a national tagging in Dunedin yet,” she said. We it on her computer. It’s important to endeavour was one of the best things. know the sites are there. Monarchs have do it straight away so that if someone Margaret agrees. “Tagging gives you already been seen in Mosgiel this year sees your butterfly soon afterwards, a sense of satisfaction. “...that you are before November.” And they have been the correct information is generated to doing your little bit in a seen further south at create a map showing where and when practical way to assist Beverley enjoys explaining Owaka too, so they your Monarch started out and ended up. nature, playing your to people what she does, must be overwintering “You will then get a surprise when you part in protecting the how she does it and why. further south. get a computer generated email telling environment.” “If any of these people Jennifer says it you all about where your butterfly was In North America should find a tagged is good fun and found,” said Thomas. “Sometimes the where tagging first butterfly they will know interests all callers. sighting is a few hours later – but it can began taggers still what to do and hopefully They love to see the be several months.” record their data on report it,” she said. newly pupating “Js” In Carterton this year one Monarch paper and when a wriggling in their returned to the same neighbourhood tagged butterfly is found the information bright green new coats and the final over seven months (224 days) later so is then put into the computer. However, metamorphosis is also eagerly watched. presumably overwintered somewhere the MBNZT system has always been “It spreads the message.” nearby! And one butterfly flew from internet-based and the program is Anne got some odd reactions at first Pukawa Bay as far north as Whangarei, always being enhanced from its simple “...but when people realised what I a distance of 500 kilometres over three beginnings seven or eight years ago. meant they were very impressed! They weeks. Charlotte was disappointed that she wanted to know how the tagging was Many taggers are also thrilled to hadn’t been told when one of the tagged done, and why, and were interested in see butterflies they’ve tagged come Monarchs is found, or how many people where they went in Winter. Nobody knew back again and again to visit their are tagging in her area. “It’s important to that some survived over Winter to start garden. Jennifer in Dunedin said that be kept up to date with the data,” she the cycle over again in Spring.” it was always interesting when tagged said. The project is free and more taggers Monarchs were found, ‘even if only Jennifer hopes that as more people are encouraged so if you’re thinking across the street’. become aware of the project it will lead about joining us... sign up now on Xanthe said that the close up to the identification of overwintering the website. “Get involved and start encounter and knowledge that you are a sites. “But not enough people are tagging,” said Xanthe. EncouragE BuTTErFLIES into your garden Check out our BUTTERFLY BEAUTIES selection or choose from a variety of seeds that the butterflies will just love. Visit our website www.kingsseeds.co.nz

PO Box 283 Katikati 3166 Ph: 07 549 3409 • Fax: 07 549 3408 14 BUTTERFLY DAY AT LINCOLN a flapping success By Steve Wratten

ver 400 people visited Lincoln’s Oorganic Biological Husbandry Unit (BHU) to celebrate NZ’s moth and butterfly diversity recently. Many people within the BHU and beyond it gave up many hours to prepare for this event. On the day, a TV One News crew Brian Patrick sharing his knowledge arrived and the story on the event was People were keen to buy seedlings for nectar and as insect hosts broadcast that evening. Visitors were able to follow a Discovery Trail around the grounds, learning as they walked, and were enthralled by nectar of which was ideal for living Monarch butterflies which were butterflies. Gerard Martin of later released by children. They went Kings Seeds produced packets away armed with prizes donated by the of ‘Butterfly Bouquet’ seeds MBNZT. especially for the event and, like Brian Patrick’s ceremonial emptying the plants on sale were avidly of a moth light trap which had been snapped up by the visitors. running at the BHU over a few preceding The whole day epitomised the nights had everyone spellbound. Brent joy of celebrating insect diversity Trustee Steve Wratten (left) Richards (Lincoln University) had grown and left a lasting impression on inspires the crowd a wide range of potted annuals, the many. 15 Photography Tip From Angela Moon-Jones

In the wild, it can be so very difficult to photograph a butterfly without shadows, sticks and leaves cluttering your image. Be patient and keep taking photos as you follow your subject, being very mindful of the background, until you capture an uncluttered image with the butterfly being the hero of your photo... not the background!

Above: Copper with cluttered foreground and background. Right: Copper with an uncluttered background.

DID YOU KNOW? NZ has between 2,000-3,000 species diameter was found at a can be in underground of wasps and bees, most of them Waimauku farm. cavities or holes in trees, being native. Some are very tiny Australian Paper Wasps in roof voids or subfloors and play an important part in our ( humilis) and Asian of buildings. There is biodiversity. But when people say Paper Wasps (P. chinensis) almost always only one “wasps” we tend to think of a big get their name because the German Wasp – entrance/exit. problem: invasive species of social honeycomb nests are papery () In Spring and throughout wasps – ‘social’ because they make – they look a little like the the Summer wasps are a nest. head of a shower. The wasps are easily working on nest building and looking German wasps (Vespula germanica) identified because of the long dangly for protein (e.g. caterpillars). When the are native to Europe legs which hang young are old enough the diet of both and were first found behind them adults and young changes to nectar – here in the 1940’s. when flying. but this is not until late in the season. Common wasps Wasps scrape ACTION – make wasp traps (V. vulgaris) arrived wood fibre off and dispose of the dead wasps, about 1978 and trees to make instructions are on our website. While rapidly spread, almost their nests. this may not reduce wasp numbers it completely displacing Worker wasps will will spare your caterpillars while you German wasps from usually range less look for the nest. If you find a nest beech forests in the than 150 metres treat it with a Carbaryl poison (from upper South Island. An Polistes humilis. in search of food hardware/garden stores) or call a average German wasp Photo courtesy of Landcare. – so if you have pest control expert. There are good nest produces 11,000- a wasp problem ideas in the forum on our website too. 13,000 workers. In 1963 one nest 3.7 and can’t find the nest, talk with your Visit www.monarch.org.nz/monarch/ metres long and nearly 2 metres in neighbours. Nests of German wasps species/pests/ GREAT GIFT IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS Your purchase supports the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust

A. incarnata Seeds – $5 per packet ID chart of NZ’s butterflies • Butterfly Mix is a blend of IN STOCK by wildflowers, annuals, which will special request! provide nectar for butterflies and Full-colour and bees as well as a block of mixed laminated ID chart colour in your garden. of NZ’s butterflies • Gomphocarpus physocarpus comes folded to or the ‘Giant Swan Plant‘. More a handy size for robust, and more resistant to use on tramps the onslaught of the caterpillars, much more resilient than the and out and about Swan Plant (G. fruticosus). (160mm x 225mm) Opens out to • or Tropical A. curassavica 790mm x 450mm. Milkweed is a native milkweed from All butterflies are represented life-size, and scientific name, a America. Monarchs will lay eggs brief description, and information about host plants of larva on it – and it makes an attractive (caterpillars) is given. Most species, except for the rare visitors, addition to the garden, very popular are accompanied by a distribution map. as a nectar source. – specify Gold Artwork is by Brian Hargreaves, and text by George Gibbs. or Scarlet (scarlet-orange petals, Scientific names are used according to Fauna of New Zealand gold centres) 14 Lepidoptera pp 135 -139, by JS Dugdale. Only $15 each, • Asclepias incarnata is Swamp Milkweed also comes from postage included. Great for Christmas presents! America. There are two varieties – one has white flowers, one has pink. We have the variety with pink flowers. Butterfly • Urtica incisa or Pureora is also known as scrub nettle. It is a T-shirt host plant for Red and Yellow Admiral butterflies. It is native to Our T-shirt New Zealand and SE Australia. collection is available in Calendar a wide range Stunning photographs and of styles and information about NZ’s colours. See butterflies and moths. Each the artist’s month has a full A4 page, impression showing holidays and with room (above) or the website www.nzbutterflies.printmighty.co.nz for to write special appointments. more details. Prices start at $30.00. The 2015 calendar is available Order at www.nzbutterflies.printmighty.co.nz – or on the now and each calendar comes shop via our website. We will add more designs and garments with its own envelope, ready to post to friends or family. (such as bags and caps) on demand – please contact $15 plus $3 postage and packaging. [email protected] if you would like to see other lines. GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP 1 year for only *

*$25.00 for on-line magazine. $35.00 for printed magazine.

You can order items by sending your order and cheque payment to: TO PLACE MBNZT, PO Box 44100, Pt Chevalier, Auckland 1246 Or pay by internet banking into the MBNZT account – Kiwibank 38-9009-0654693-00 and send an AN ORDER email to [email protected] with details of your order, your name and delivery address.