ISSUE 26 | SPRING 2018

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Our Alpine Satyrid

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Click the Tick | Predators Plus | Mapua School 2 swan plant). We need to be From the informed about these so we can protect our milkweed. As well as Vicky Steele’s efforts monitoring Editor overwintering butterflies in Christchurch, Maria Romero always look forward to the is working to increase arrival of spring… the perfume of numbers of swan plants in Ifreesias and daphne, cherrypie Christchurch. And you can CONTENTS and violets, the blooming of spring read about our Alpine Satyrid Cover photo: Percnodaimon pluto, photo flowers, and the return of butterflies to my butterflies. thanks to Angela Moon-Jones garden. And so it is with great delight I’ve If you haven’t been to see the amazing put together this issue of our magazine. exhibition at the Auckland 2 Editorial However, we want you to be forearmed Museum yet, we urge you to do so. 3 so that you have a great butterfly season Everyone who has been to see it thinks The MBNZT at work so there are some other less pleasant it’s both entertaining and educational… 4-5 Our Alpine Satyrid Butterflies items in this edition. Our detailed article Joan Fairhall took her grand-daughter on social may make you gasp in along. You’ll also read about the butterfly 6 Obituary: Lincoln Brower horror, but there are steps you can take habitat that’s been created in an Auckland to eliminate or at least reduce this pest park and find out more about a teacher at 7 Butterfly Love: from your garden. We’ve asked all the Mapua School devoted to butterflies. Mapua School experts for their ideas. Our monarchs On a sad note, we include an obituary Seed Sales help Youthline will need every bit of help they can get to Lincoln Brower, professor in the USA as numbers are low. In the top half of the who probably knew more than anyone else 8-9 Predators Threaten country numbers were hugely reduced about monarch butterflies. He was 86. Christchurch Monarchs last February (so smaller numbers Recently on Facebook we ran a contest overwintering) and in Christchurch asking for ideas for upcycling in the garden 10 Happy Retirement Peter the overwintering colonies have been to benefit butterflies. You will see photos Yealand decimated by predators – most likely rats. throughout the magazine of some of the And the garden centres evidently will be ideas generated. Three clever people who 11 Good and Bad for Moth Vine offering less swan plants this year… so get contributed earned themselves amazing planting those seeds now. prizes, thanks to Dalton’s. Look for the 12 Exploring the Secret World You will also read about controls that photos in pink frames! will more than likely be introduced to And of course that’s only a sample of 13 Social Wasps reduce moth vine (in the same family as what’s inside. Enjoy! 14 Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve A winning entry in the Butterfly Musketeer rides again Upcycling for Butterflies 15 - using freezer baskets Earthlore Goes Ahead to protect plants from Upcycling Contest birds. Thanks Christine 16 Calendar/ Subs Whitmore, you're a winner!

A Big Thank You to our Sponsors Patron: Sir Robert Harvey, KNZM, QSO Platinum Sponsors Editor/Secretary: Jacqui Knight [email protected] Graphic Designer: Jai Pancha, [email protected] Treasurer: Carol Stensness [email protected] Advertising: Angela Moon-Jones [email protected] Silver Sponsors ISSN 2324-1993 (Print) 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] Magazine Sponsors https://www.facebook.com/mbnzt mbnztorg pinterest.com/mbnzt mothsandbutterfliesnztrust

Printed in NZ on vegetable based inks Sustainability 3 The MBNZT From time to time we review AUT Outside the Square the way in which our magazine is Once again we are working with at work! produced. You may have noticed a team of AUT media students who that we recently changed the stock have adopted us as their clients. Click the tick! on which the magazine is printed. Chadd Ashby, Jesse Carpenter, Garden centres up and down the We use vegetable-based inks and Sabrina Faytaren, Clodagh O’Carroll country are signing up to show that the paper is approved by the Forest and Courtney Pitcher hae identified they will only sell swan plants that Stewardship Council. The FSC is that the MBNZT needs to raise are pesticide-free. Buy from them, an organisation working to promote awareness – not only of the species and you can be confident that your the practice of sustainable forestry of butterflies and moths and the caterpillars won’t be dying from worldwide. Approved products like need for conservation, but also our sprayed plants. paper and wood have been sourced organisation and our aims. A list of these garden centres is on in an environmentally-friendly, socially In early October (school holidays) our website – just look for the tick on responsible and economically viable they are planning a butterfly-filled our homepage and ‘click the tick’. manner. For example, the wood pulp day in Auckland. With craft events, That will take you to the page where is sourced from a well-managed forest competitions and butterfly-themed there are also warnings about other and is eco-friendly. goodies, this is one event you won’t reasons for deaths of monarch larvae. We are currently reviewing the want to miss. More information will be Some people don’t think about (or packaging in which the magazines get in the e-news and in social media. realise) the damage that flea collars, sent to you. In the meantime, we urge plug-in controls and even you to reuse the plastic so that it is germicide or sunscreen on hands can not single-use. The wrappers are very do when handling caterpillars. handy if you own a dog! National Butterfly Centre Staff at the certificated garden Since our Winter magazine we centres will have taken advantage of have been making some progress our on-line Create Butterfly Habitat on another site in Auckland, this course so that they are better time “downtown”. Mark Bateman equipped to advise gardeners on and Jacqui Knight have met with nectar sources and host plants for the Auckland Domain Committee other butterflies and day-flying moths. and Auckland Council staff and You can help spread the word about our discussions to date have been our campaign by passing the ‘Click favourable. the Tick’ message on to your friends, The site is on a north-facing families, schools… slope (all day sun), sheltered to the By the time you read this we will south and would complement a have been on TV1’s BREAKFAST and development of leisure activities. Jacqui is being interviewed by Jesse We will (of course) keep you Mulligan on Radio New Zealand. informed. Hopefully other media will also have picked up on this story.

Our Calendar Our beautiful calendar for 2019 is going to be a huge favourite – and it is one way you can show your support for the cause. Thanks to the support of our sponsors our annual calendar is a great little fundraiser for the MBNZT, helping fund our projects. Many of those photos cannot be obtained elsewhere – and some have never been seen before. The calendars are 297mm wide x 210mm high when closed, or 297mm wide x 420 mm high when open. They have one month per page, with each page featuring a different New Zealand butterfly or moth. The cover is shown and the calendar is in production at present. Order them now and they will be mailed to you in October, in good time for posting overseas as gifts for friends and family. See back page for more details. 4

Mount Brewster, Western Our Alpine Satyrid Butterflies Otago, home of Butler’s ringlet By Brian Patrick z has ten species of alpine orange in colour in contrast to the particularly in quality natural satyrid butterfly, all confined dark brown males. The eggs are tussock grasslands from 900-1800 Nto the South Island’s laid on tall snowgrass ( metres on mountainsides. Again, multitude of mountain ranges. In species) with the caterpillars feeding the caterpillars feed on tussocks in NZ this sub-family of butterflies, the on the long leaves on suitable days the genus Chionochloa so depend Satyridae, also contains the formerly and hiding in the leaf bases by night on natural intact grasslands. widespread forest ringlet butterfly and in bad weather. Over much of its range outside which was naturally distributed from It is a thrill to see this beautiful of northwest Nelson it flies with Northland to the northern third of the butterfly in alpine basins where it the common tussock butterfly (A. South Island from the coast to tree- flies slowly over the snowgrass antipodum). line where its larval hostplant grows canopy. The common tussock, though, in the shade of beech forest. None of The three species of tussock has a much wider range being the ten alpine species is known from butterfly have distinct distributions found down to sea-level in the far Stewart Island despite apparently with the Nelson tussock butterfly south of the South Island and parts suitable habitat being present on the (Argyrophenga harrisi) confined of eastern Canterbury and Otago. island’s many alpine areas. to northwest Nelson between And it has widened its larval diet to These ten alpine species are 1300-1900 metres. Here it can be include some introduced grasses placed in three genera: Butler’s common flying between November enabling it to survive the dramatic ringlet (Erebiola butleri) is monotypic and March. The female is paler ecological changes that have in its own genus, three species than the male but overall the sexual occurred in lowland and montane of tussock butterfly in the genus dimorphism is less pronounced than areas since European settlement. Argyrophenga, and six species the common tussock. Like Butler’s of black mountain butterfly in ringlet the caterpillars feed on tall the genus Percnodaimon, three snowgrass. of which are yet to be formally Also found in northwest Nelson described. All ten species are alongside the Nelson tussock is widespread across their natural the eastern tussock butterfly (A. alpine range with just one species, janitae), but the latter is distributed the common tussock butterfly far south to many mountain ranges Argyrophenga antipodum, found of western and Central Otago. below tree-line in open grassland Generally, it is a common butterfly areas right down to sea-level in many places. Butler’s ringlet is locally common flying between late December and March in many of the wetter alpine grassland areas close to both sides of the South Island’s Main Divide from western Otago northwards 1200-1800 metres above sea- level. It is most common in mid Cecil Peak in Eyre Mountains of Central to late February over most of its Otago, home of two species of black mountain butterflies distribution. The species is sexually dimorphic with a female that is very Argyrophenga janitae It also feeds on other indigenous grass Canterbury. Within this wide range it is 5 genera such as Elymus and Poa. The locally common over alpine scree from females of the common tussock are 940-1900 metres on mountainsides. It much paler than the males, and this is is in the early summer when emerging one of many characters that sets it apart butterfly can be seen over the scree from the other two tussock butterflies. slopes of the central South Island Recently I found this species on Banks mountains. The third described species Peninsula’s highest point Mt Herbert of black mountain butterfly is P. between 800 and 950 metres, a new merula, a species distributed from the record for the species. Elsewhere it can mountains of northeastern South Island Erebiola butleri be found as high as 1950 metres on south to North Otago ranges such as snowgrass-covered mountains. the Ida Range and Saint Mary’s Range. Ongoing research by my son Within this range it is locally common on Hamish and myself has recognised six greywacke screes. species, three of which are described, With a wingspan of up to 55 mm it is in the black mountain butterfly genus significantly larger than P. micans. We Percnodaimon. These are strict alpine have a manuscript nearing completion to high alpine butterflies of bare rock describing the other three species areas such as extensive screes and of Percnodaimon that we recognise. rocky ridges where the larval hostplant Interestingly several of our new species grasses in the genus Poa grow. Like the overlap in distribution with the three other NZ satyrids, they can be locally described species with one emerging in common on suitable sunny days in early summer and the other mid to late mid-summer. Hamilton’s mountain black summer with a small period of overlap. (P. micans) is confined to the Harris This occurrence of two species in the Argyrophenga antipodum and Richardson Mountains of western one place but remaining distinct helps Otago where it can be common over to confirm our concept of additional nearly bare rocky slopes between late species in the genus. Hamish has used November and early January from 1500- sequencing of the butterfly’s DNA to sort 2400 metres. out the , but we have found The black mountain butterfly P. external morphological differences so pluto is distributed from the mountains that the species can be separated when Mount Potts, Erewhon skifield in of Nelson south to those of South encountered in the field. Canterbury, home to two species of black mountain butterflies Kings caring for

SURE TO GROW GUARANTEE Temquissit eum voluptat arunt ressed quam rem. Anda sit que velendita id minvend ignimus. Ro For more information on butterfly gardening write to: mincia doloriste verspiciat eaqui cum dolorep Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust udisit ea quia dolum labo. PO Box 44100,SURE Pt Chevalier, TO GROW Auckland 1246. Phone 09 GUARANTEE551 3383 www.monarch.org.nz KINGS VIP CLUB A COMPLETE GUIDE TO Temquissit eum voluptat arunt ressed quam rem. Join the Kings VIP Club to receive our butterfliesAnda sit que velendita id minvend ignimus. Ro newsletters, VIP exclusive specials, BUTTERFLY GARDENING KEY POINTSmincia doloriste verspiciat eaqui cum dolorep competitions and discount vouchers • Each speciesudisit of ea butterfly quia dolum or mothlabo. needs specific A COMPLETE GUIDE TO host plants. Female adults will only lay eggs on BUTTERFLY GARDENING the species that their juvenile forms will eat. VISIT YOUR LOCAL KINGS For more information on butterfly gardening write to:• Research beforeKINGS you begin VIP planting CLUB to Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust determine which plants to use and h FORREST HILL Join the Kings VIP Club to receive our 1 Forrest Hill Road, Ph 0800 752 687 PO Box 44100, Pt Chevalier, Auckland 1246. much space is required. ow HENDERSON newsletters, VIP exclusive specials, 224 Universal Drive, Ph 836 9635 Phone 09 551 3383 • Insecticides harm all stages of the butterfly cycle. HOWICK competitions and discount vouchers 280 Botany Road, Ph 273 85 www.monarch.org.nz Try organic gardening and IPM (integrated pest REMUERA 236 Orakei Road, Ph 524 940027 management). Seek out advice on the website of ST LUKES Visit Kings Plant Barn – pick up 118 Asquith Avenue, Ph 846 2141 the Moths and Butterflies New Zealand Trust. SILVERDALE ecific Cnr East Coast Rd & Main Hway, Ph 426 0401 KEY POINTS • Sunny gardensVISIT attract the YOURmost butterflies LOCAL KINGSTAKAPUNA 11 Porana Road, Ph 443 2221 • Each species of butterfly or moth needs sp plant nectar-rich flowers and host1 Forrest plants Hill in Road, Ph 0800 752TAKANINI 687 FORREST HILL so 163 Airfield Road, Ph 298 8736 host plants. Female adults will only lay eggs on 224 Universal Drive, Ph 836 9635 the sunniest partHENDERSON of the garden. the species that their juvenile forms will eat.• 280 Botany Road, Ph 273 8527 Choose plants thatHOWICK will bloom at different tim • Research before you begin planting to 236 Orakei Road, Ph 524 9400 throughout the year.REMUERA Try experimenting with es determine which plants to use and how 118 Asquith Avenue, Ph 846 2141OPEN 7 DAYS a variety of plantsST that LUKES appeal to different much space is required. butterfly and moth species. Cnr East Coast Rd & Main Hway,Call Ph 4260800 0401 PLANTS a FREE copy of your ButterflySILVERDALE • Insecticides harm all stages of the butterfly• cycle. 11 Porana Road, Ph 443 2221 Provide a sunny spotTAKAPUNA for basking and shelter www.kings.co.nz Try organic gardening and IPM (integrated pest 163 Airfield Road, Ph 298 8736 for the wind and rain.TAKANINI management). Seek out advice on the website• Nectar of plants provide food for the adult the Moths and Butterflies New Zealand Trust.butterflies, while host plants feed caterpillars. • Sunny gardens attract the most butterfliesSome so nectar plants are also host plants, plant nectar-rich flowers and host plants e.g.in swan plants. OPEN 7 DAYS the sunniest part of the garden. Call 0800 PLANTS • Choose plants that will bloom at different times Garden Guide and checkthroughout the year. Try experimenting with outwww.kings.co.nz a variety of plants that appeal to different butterfly and moth species. • Provide a sunny spot for basking and shelter for the wind and rain. • Nectar plants provide food for the adult butterflies, while host plants feed caterpillars. Some nectar plants are also host plants, our huge range of butterflye.g. swan plants. attracting plants.

Kings proudly supporting The Moths and Butterflies Find your nearest store at www.kings.co.nz of New Zealand Trust 6 A Monarch of a Man tell me: What good is the monarch butterfly?’ Needless to say, I am Lincoln Brower Obituary extremely irritated when anybody asks By Jacqui Knight As monarch lovers know, what makes that question.” the migration particularly astonishing But he had an answer for it, one n 2018 when I visited the is that the butterflies arriving in Mexico that involved getting the questioner to USA, one of the people have never been to the wintering ponder what kinds of things we value, II was very keen to meet grounds but are descendants of and why. was Dr Lincoln Brower. monarchs that migrated from Mexico in “I’ve seen the Mona Lisa in Paris,” He and his wife Linda had a previous cycle. he’d say. “What good is the Mona Lisa? invited me to stay with them “If you’ve ever looked inside the brain Really, it’s just a painting on a piece of and I was very privileged to do so. of a butterfly, it’s about the size of a paper. But we revere it as part of our It was through his advocacy and pinhead,” Dr. Brower said in a 1990 culture and part of our tradition.” work with the Mexican government interview with The New York Times, He continued, “We’re too pragmatic that the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere “and yet the minicomputer inside in this country, and I think we need to Reserve (MBBR) was established to that pinhead has all the necessary realise that biological treasures such as protect the overwintering monarch information to get them to Mexico the monarch are just as valuable as the population in Mexico. He was among without having been there before.” Mona Lisa.” the first to recognise that the weakest Lincoln also expressed alarm about Over recent years Linda, his wife, portion of the monarch’s annual cycle the effects that herbicides and GE crops worked with him to record an oral in North America is the formation of in the United States could have on the history of his life. the overwintering colonies within the butterflies which depend on milkweed in “He recalled being disciplined in Oyamel forests on a few mountain tops the northern part of their life cycle. school for cutting class to collect a in central Mexico. He consulted with various groups on particular type of moth,” she said. Lincoln knew that the protection of preservation issues, and also with writer He told me ‘I got suspended for a these sites was key to the preservation Barbara Kingsolver on her 2012 novel, day and humiliated. I had to sit in one of the monarch migration and he “Flight Behavior,” in which migrating classroom in one chair all day long.’ worked tirelessly to safeguard these butterflies form part of the plot Linda asked him if it was worth it? locations, sometimes earning the wrath As Lincoln became known as the To which he replied, “Absolutely.” of authorities and some colleagues. He monarch’s best friend he would often Sadly, Lincoln passed away on 17 spent over six decades studying the encounter one particular question. July this year. He leaves behind a remarkable migratory life cycle of the “On occasion I will be asked in a huge legacy of knowledge of monarch monarch. public lecture, ‘Well, Professor Brower, butterflies and their migration.

www.daltons.co.nz 0800 808 150 7 Butterfly Love larvae, check on the various stages of structures in which to raise swan the life cycle and celebrate the release plants and butterflies. We are planning By Neil Chalmers of each adult butterfly. A tally was these developments with help from the kept each year as to how many had MBNZT. We see that children will be Mapua is a small town west of Nelson been released and compared with past offered the opportunity to get involved on SH 60 and on the coastline of achievements. At the end of Term One on a voluntary basis, as they have done Tasman Bay. Students at Mapua School plants with eggs, caterpillars and larvae on other environmental projects within benefit from very strong community were taken home to watch progress as the school and community, and thus links, the wide range of stimulating the holiday period progressed develop an ongoing interest and skill learning programmes, and learning My own family became very caught base in the conservation of the monarch opportunities in the local environment. up in this process and proudly for years to come. displayed the swan plants and the Jan is very supportive of this concept When Jan Egarr, a teacher here at stages of the life cycle in our living and has already made a significant Mapua School, announced she would area over the holidays. Visitors contribution towards its achievement. be retiring this year we realised that we were subjected to guided tours and She remains a local resident and I were about to not only lose a skilled, explanations of what was taking place. believe will continue to be involved in dedicated and experienced junior Discussions around the survival of this project. school teacher, but also our monarch the species, threats, and risks were butterfly expert and enthusiast. enriched by the children’s input. Jan has been with this school Discussions about wintering over and for many years as a member of our migration were always interesting and permanent staff, before that as a fixed the basis for much discussion about term teacher, and before that again biodiversity etc. as a parent. With a strong interest in Without any in-depth communication science and the environment, Jan has between parties, those who farewelled encouraged and promoted all things Jan at the end of Term 2 all focused related to nature and in particular the in some way on her work involving raising of monarch butterflies. monarchs. While a very skilled teacher Her students have learned about in all aspects of the curriculum, Jan’s the life cycle of the monarch and how promotion of the monarch butterfly and best to support and care for them its protection was featured in events at each stage. Swan plants have to celebrate her time here. Paper been propagated and protected, butterflies were decorated, mounted, caterpillars have been rescued, fed, and and displayed, MDF mini butterflies encouraged, pupae have been watched were artistically decorated and intensely, and adult butterflies, have presented on a large mural, and Jan been released at an appropriate time. was given her own special set of wings Jan’s classroom has been a hive of to set her free at her farewell assembly. activity during the first term of each year with children (and parents) arriving The school is keen to continue Jan’s with more swan plant stock to help feed work. The intent is to construct separate SEED sales HELP YOUTHLINE A story last year on the shortage attribute is there is no internal resource in covering aspects of this initiative. As of swan plants prompted Mark required other than sending out an well, Auckland based Chameleon TV Adcock from Smashing Promotions embedded email link to their database. have kindly offered free advertising for to approach the Monarch Butterfly There is also a facility to purchase two months to broadcast HopeSeeds. New Zealand Trust (MBNZT) with the physical stock and retail independently. nz to local communities. The online idea of marketing swan plant seeds in This avenue provides 80 cents shop will be open on 1 October. customised packaging that could be commission per packet If you are on MBNZT’s sold as a fundraiser. Mark has created sold. database you will be emailed HopeSeeds.nz which is the vehicle for We are pleased to your unique code in due this initiative. Funds from each sale have collaborated with course to help support the will go to both MBNZT and Youthline our supporting sponsors, cause. to support the amazing work they do Enviro-Tab and NZYME for Mark is looking at educating and assisting youth. this initiative. Enviro-Tab HopeSeeds.nz becoming Registered distributors (that could provides a fuel conditioning an annual event, resulting be your club or school) will be provided agent that minimises in many, many swan plants with a unique code link that they email carbon emissions. NZYME being planted, raising to their database. When supporters is a plant-based, cleaning much needed funds for click on the link it will automatically solutions company Youthline, the MBNZT register the distributor as a recipient of offering an alternative to and all of the registered the 50 cents sales commission from any chemical-based agents. organisations that get subsequent online sale. Both companies provide involved in the marketing of Numerous organisations have cost-effective solutions for a HopeSeeds.nz. If you are expressed a strong interest to be cleaner, greener planet. an organisation wanting to involved given the social, environmental There has also been strong benefit from this initiative contact and financial benefits. A positive media interest from NZME and TVNZ [email protected] 8

Predators threaten Christchurch’s

By Vicky Steele Monarch butterflies or decades I have monitored most predators found in Mexico are found 8. Rat droppings found next to wings. of the overwintering colonies in NZ. Headless butterflies early in the 9. Smaller colonies, of less than 100 Fin Christchurch, noting down season could be attributed to a praying butterflies, do not seem to have been information and taking home weather- mantis. touched. beaten butterflies. Many recover and our Entomologist Mike Bowie, Lincoln Yes, I have seen the rats. I followed colonies do well. I always look for things University, has a lot of experience with one around a rhododendron and into that are different, or abnormal, and in mammalian predation. He put one the undergrowth, finding a pile of wings. 2016 I found something! butterfly with a small portion of body left A wing was even found in the entrance Abberley Park is the winter home of under the microscope. to a trap. At Ernle Clark Reserve, 14 usually 800-1,000 butterflies. From May “Definitely eaten,” was his immediate rats were trapped. Through May-July, 2016, day after day, I found dozens response. Mike and Christchurch City parks have been visited daily. Wings of wings scattered on the ground, Council staff agreed that rats were the have been counted and bagged, traps continuing until late July when only 15 most likely predator. checked and parks visited at night. butterflies remained. The same thing So … is it rats? Most butterfly experts Mike showed me how to install happened at Ruru Lawn Cemetery but will say rats are not known monarch tracking tunnels which I put in place ended abruptly in late June and half the predators although they are certainly on in Abberley, Burnside, Woodham (no butterflies survived. the general predator list. However, the predation) and Ruru Lawn Cemetery (no The problem at Abberley Park evidence so far shows: predation this year). He confirmed that was reported to the Council. A visit 1. It is a nocturnal activity. rat tracks were evident at Abberley and from an entomologist found rat and 2. Predation increases when the Burnside. Woodham and Ruru Lawn mouse droppings at the base of the weather worsens and continues until revealed only hedgehogs. tree. Despite the installation of rodent there are barely any butterflies left. What Is Being Done? traps and a camera trap, nothing was 3. The predator is very mobile. I went to DoC and they supplied filmed or caught. The findings were 4. Predation happens in trees but tree bands. Tree Tech, the council’s ‘inconclusive’. butterflies are also eaten on the ground. arborists, donated four hours installing In Winter 2017 nothing happened, Wings are found high in branches and them. Two trees have since been but barely 150 butterflies returned to also deep inside tussock grass and banded, one in Abberley and one in Abberley Park. Ruru Lawn Cemetery under dense foliage. Ernle Clark. This is a non-invasive, also had greatly diminished numbers. 5. Puncture wounds and what looks inexpensive attempt to stop predators In May this year my records show that like claw marks in wings. No bodies climbing. Banding was first proposed in Abberley and Burnside Parks have remain, although sometimes a head or 2016 but rejected by the CCC. suffered a 98% mortality rate. Ernle leg is left. I’ve asked the Fendalton Ward Clark Reserve, beside the Heathcote 6. Rat sightings in affected parks Community Board to have attend to River shows 70% mortality. Wings were and a camera trap image (installed by Burnside Park where seven butterflies scattered everywhere. The colonies the CCC. of a rat in the butterfly tree at remain alive. started breaking up, using trees never Abberley Park. The tree at Abberley Park wasn’t used before. 7. Large numbers (up to 25 per night) banded until 7 July – over two months None of the three specialised being predated on. since I placed a works order for trapping 9

and/or banding. It needed to be done in May. Following up on my works order I was told it had been cancelled because they thought the predator was a praying mantis. At the time of banding, only 15 butterflies remained, not enough with which to measure success. Wings have since been found but in a different area. A larger area needed to be predator-proofed. By comparison, within a week of approaching the Somerfield Residents Association, they had raised the funds to band the tree in Ernle Clark Reserve. I do appreciate the need for evidence, especially when spending ratepayers’ money. But the research done has been free and the delays have been costly. At the time of writing I am to speak at the CCC’s Environmental Sub Committee meeting, a great opportunity. I have a detailed plan and hopefully can reveal more in the coming months. Currently, I have the remains of over 1,600 monarchs. It’s been a mild winter but a terrible time for these beautiful .

Image page 8: Some of my collection of dead monarchs, all bagged with the location where and the date they were found. Top right: Monarch wings found in tussock grass. Right: My heroes! Arborists from Tree Tech installing one of the metal bands to prevent rats from climbing the trees. 10 And of course the butterflies provide a Happy great point of interest for those visiting the vineyard. While they don’t pollinate Retirement Peter the vines (the wind does that) they add ust over two years ago we were Wines will continue to benefit from to the biodiversity. delighted to get an email from Peter’s seemingly boundless energy Next time you’re in Marlborough put JYealands’ Seaview Vineyard in and knowledge as he will continue as a a visit to Seaview on the list of things to Marlborough offering to sponsor our Brand Ambassador. do. And raise a glass to Peter and Vai work. Wonderful! That sponsorship has “Sustainability is at the core of and wish them a happy and even restful helped the Trust to continue and even everything we do,” he says. His mantra retirement! expand the work we do. ‘think boldly, tread lightly’ has resulted We discovered that a sizeable area in the planting of well over 200,000 within the 1,113 hectare Seaview native plants. Twenty-five wetlands have vineyard had been planted in swan been developed on a large area of the plants as one aspect of Peter’s passion vineyard, encouraging many species of for biodiversity. Yealands became not native birds to return to the area. Short- only our first Platinum sponsor, but legged Babydoll sheep reduce the also met the criteria to become the first need to mow grass between the vines certified Butterfly Friendly Organisation, which reduces the need to use mowers one among a plethora of national and resulting in fewer diesel emissions. international wine, environmental and Free-range hens provide natural pest business awards. control and fresh eggs. Approximately This area evolved into Butterfly Gully 10% of vine prunings are baled up and with information signage and planting to burned in two specially built boilers to attract and sustain other of NZ’s native generate electricity, eliminating over 180 butterflies. Positioned on the vineyard’s tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions White Road it has become a favourite each year. Yealands Winery now has stopping-off point for visitors. NZ’s largest solar panel array numbering Peter has recently celebrated his 70th 1,314 solar panels on the north-facing birthday and this August marked the wide of the winery, generating 30% 10th anniversary of the formation of of the winery’s electricity needs. Rain Yealands Wines. He has now decided it water is channelled to the reservoirs. was a good point to step back from the Visitors can charge their electric- everyday operation. However, Yealands powered vehicles.

NORTH ISLAND

SEDDON Marlborough

SOUTH ISLAND Picton Blenheim

SEDDON

Kaikoura

Proud partner of the Moths and Butterfl ies of New Zealand Trust beetles were well fed and would last 11 the journey back to NZ without food. As it turned out, 250 beetles made the journey back, with some even producing eggs in transit. They are now being held in strict quarantine at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research’s premises. The beetles have continued to pump out eggs ever since, allowing various techniques for rearing them to Top: Hamish be explored and for their host range escapes from the drainage ditch. to be checked, in case of regional Inset Freuditia adults variation. The flies proved harder to find. “Despite opening over 100 moth plant pods on one day we found no fly larvae,” said Hamish. “Ironically, there was a moth plant growing over the road from our accommodation, which turned out to have some infested pods, but we GOOD AND BAD FOR MOTH VINE were only able to bring by Jacqui Knight where the moth vine home a total of 35 f you live in the north, you’ll be aware originated. Before pupae,” said Hugh. to some degree of moth vine. It’s often anything can be The plan is to rear Icalled ‘cruel plant’ because it is known released here, potential the pupae through to to trap butterflies and moths and they die biocontrols have to be adulthood and get a within the flowers. tested on other plants within the same colony of the fly going in containment Moth vine (Araujia hortorum, SYN A. family. And that will include the swan to learn more about their biology. There sericifera) has been a problem of concern plant and Asclepias spp. is very little known about the fly, making for the National Biocontrol Collective Recently an opportunity to try to it a steep learning curve when it comes and earlier this year Hugh Gourlay (from source the moth plant insects – beetles to keeping them alive or breeding them Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research) and flies – arose in Uruguay, a country in captivity. “We will be drawing on all and Hamish Hodgson (Waikato Regional with which NZ’s biocontrol team has of our collective experience within the Council) travelled to Uruguay to search never worked previously. biocontrol group,” said Hugh. for biocontrol agents for it and another “Thanks to the help of Uruguayan An approval to release the moth plant pest plant – woolly nightshade. scientists and the consular beetle in NZ will be prepared soon and “Moth vine is part of the milkweed representative here we obtained a go out for consultation. The National family,” said one keen monarch butterfly collecting and export permit,” explained Biocontrol Collective needs to apply to lover. “And although it’s a pest I have Hugh. the Environmental Protection Authority, been known to put monarch caterpillars While searching around the outskirts and then their application becomes on it when I’ve run out of swan plant. If of towns and villages Hugh and Hamish open for consultation. you can’t get swan plant, it’s the next were taken to some unpromising sites, Some monarch butterfly lovers will be best thing.” such as drainage ditches full of rubbish concerned of the potential effect that The white or pale pink flowers look and debris. However, this is where they biocontrols for moth vine might have similar to the swan plant flowers but struck gold, finding 50 beetles within on swan plant and other milkweeds have a swelling at the base. The sticky five minutes, and they even found fly that the monarchs favour. You can be pollen within individual flowers means maggots in the moth plant seed pods. sure that Landcare takes great care to with their long proboscises “We weren’t so keen to visit do their research and will not release often get trapped within the flower. vineyards or orchards because quite any biocontrol without thorough testing Another huge negative is that often insecticides are used on these on all similar plants prior to seeking one seed pod can produce up to a properties, so roadside ditches and permission. thousand parachute-like seeds. Not reserves are usually better places,” said Hugh added that testing to date only is it a threat to our bush but it’s a Hugh. has shown neither the swan plant real nuisance in urban areas invading At one site they were rewarded (G. fruticosus) nor tropical milkweed gardens and parks. Plants are left to with 150 beetles. “We were wary of (Asclepias curassavica) are potential proliferate in abandoned areas like the collecting too many early on since hosts for the moth plant beetle back of industrial areas and just like we would have to keep them alive for (Freudeita cf cupripennis) but that the swan plant, the sap of moth plant is another ten days until our departure. tweedia (Oxypetalum caeruleum) is a poisonous and can cause skin irritation. We had lots of beetles in plastic boxes potential host. Some years ago there was talk of sitting in my bedroom and didn’t know Members of the MBNZT are importing a South American milkweed if they preferred new or old foliage, and encouraged to be alert to the butterfly of which there are 300 species how long they would live,” Hugh said. application process and ensure that worldwide. The export permit issued by the they have their say. The first field So far it has been impossible to get Ministry of Agriculture in Uruguay releases might be able to get underway permission to export potential biocontrol only covered insects and not plant as soon as Spring 2019. agents from Argentina and Brazil, from material so Hugh had to be sure the 12 awareness of metamorphosis, anatomy, Exploring the Secret World habitat and survival mechanisms, and By Joan Fairhall grandmas with the pleasure in sharing a hat a joy it is to take a child to forest through which fly a variety magical experience. What a great way the Secret World of Butterflies of bright butterflies. After the initial to introduce children to the world of Wat Auckland Museum. Top ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ the children realise butterflies! marks to the exhibition designers, who they can design their own butterfly, have created an enchanting interactive colouring wings, choosing eye-spots experience that stimulates and excites or iridescence, and with a swipe, send as it educates. their butterfly to join those in the forest. The exhibit is in two interconnected Discover how difficult it is spot the sections. One displays the passion caterpillars among the leaves. Wings of the late Ray Shannon, who in open – you can see them. Wings closed his lifetime collected, identified and – it’s a leaf. Here too, the reason why Stella Aziz creating a butterfly preserved 13,000 butterflies. For my some butterflies deter birds with their 8-year-old granddaughter the take- bright colours, and why many have large away memories are the enormous size eye-spots on their wings. of Papua’s birdwing butterflies, and A wall of fabric scales hides clever standing in front of the blue morphos, displays and explanations of more rocking from side to side to see how the hidden secrets. A video shows the light reflects off their iridescent wings. metamorphosis of the monarch. Large But it is the second area that is truly replicas of chrysalises and butterfly magic. So many eggs for touching (and, as it turns out, things for children for mums to sit on). Arthur Pilkington matching images to do. A huge green And for every little girl, the magic of caterpillar in the centre becoming a butterfly as she poses for is a climb-on, crawl- a photograph, in front of illuminated, through tunnel. This was colour-changing wings. particularly favoured by Children will come away with an the boys! An entire wall is an The exhibition is at Auckland illuminated screen, Museum’s Sainsbury Horrocks a window to a tropical Gallery until 26 May 2019. Diana Fairhall at Auckland Huge green catterpillar and their guts are the nursery for The only control is finding the nests and 13 Social wasps important yeasts used for winemaking. then using an insecticide.” By Jacqui Knight However, their diet can cause severe Writer Dave Hansford did extensive problems to native taxa as they have investigation on wasps for NZ NZ has thousands of species been observed taking caterpillars Geographic. He recommends Vespex of native , but none of the of kowhai moths, plume moths and for Vespula populations, “It really natives are social. several owlet moths. Of particular does knock them for six. To protect concern is the impact of Polistes caterpillars it must be applied after the ocial wasps are probably the on protected unique habitats such wasps have switched from sugar to biggest predator of caterpillars. as island sanctuaries. Research is protein (around late February/March). SThey build communal nests needed on Polistes in urban and “There’s a very easy online quiz you by mixing wood fibre with saliva to natural habitats to evaluate need to pass before you can mould into a nest. We asked the their ecological impact register to buy it. Then you can scientific community and control apply it yourself, and it’s an for their thoughts options. Early easy and safe process. It on how to reduce results suggest only comes in huge tubs, and numbers of them. that Polistes wasps needs to be kept in the fridge. I Julia Schmack is a PhD are highly influenced got together with neighbours and student currently working on V. germanica by the amount of tree bought a tub between us which invasive wasps on offshore cover; they are absent under works well.” islands under Prof Jacqueline Beggs mature forest, but occur in John Dugdale, Research at the School of Biological Sciences, high abundances in open V. vulgaris Associate with Manaaki Whenua University of Auckland. spots with flowering plants. Landcare offered more good Julia explained: If you want to encourage caterpillars, advice: Five species of social wasp have then finding and killing Polistes Take advantage of the paper wasp been introduced; two of Vespula, colonies will help. The nests can queens’ predilection for nectar after the German and the common often be found under leaves; they awake from hibernation by using a wasp (V. germanica and V. they particularly seem to like fly trap baited with stale beer or honey vulgaris) and three Polistes making nests in flax and other solution and a paper flower beside the species, the Australian, the low-lying shrubs. entrance. This will be limited to about Asian and the European paper There are two ways to three weeks after you see them. wasp (P. humilis, P. chinensis get rid of a nest. Wait until Once they get into gear (nests and P. dominula). evening when foragers are appear, and butterfly eggs and larvae Polistes are widespread home and the nest is calm, disappear) a regular look-out for nests across the North Island then hold a bucket under in shrubs on your property is and are even present on the nest and cut off essential. Follow the queens NZ’s highly protected offshore P. chinensis the leaf/branch. Very or workers when they are islands. They are quickly close the lid (or carrying a food pellet between easy to recognise by clip into a plastic bag and secure their mandibles. They will lead their hovering flight and quickly). Freeze the contained you to their nest. dangling legs. Urban parks nest to kill the wasps Net foraging adult and gardens can provide without using chemicals. wasps. Once the wasp ideal habitats for them. Phil Lester at the School is in the net, lay the net But like everything in of Biological Sciences, Victoria flat on the ground and nature, relationships University of Wellington added stamp on the wasp. are complex: Polistes that the European paper wasp Another idea is to grow P. dominula wasps mainly feed on is proving itself to be a substantial cabbages or nasturtium caterpillars, including problem in the Nelson region, with large (Tropaeleum) as a trap P. humilis many of the pest nests started early in spring - and many crop,” says John. “When species that most more nests than with the Asian and i was looking at the prey of paper gardeners try to control. Australian paper wasp. wasps most pellets consisted entirely In the US, an average Polistes nest “I suspect it will be a major issue for of mashed up cabbage white butterfly reduces the population of the cabbage- butterflies and people as it continues (Pieris rapae) caterpillars. In this way eating caterpillar by up to 44%. Other its colonisation of NZ. Unfortunately, too, you might divert the predators benefits are that they pollinate plants there are no baits available at this time. away from swan plants.” The World’s Plants to Your Door Pruning roses or Planting PARVA stinging nettles for butterflies? PLANTS You need omni rose NZ’s Most Comprehensive Pruning gloves. mail-order plant Catalogue Order On-line NOW HUGE range of flowering Perennials & Shrubs ideal for attracting available at garden butterflies to your garden. centres nationwide. www.omniproducts.co.nz www.parvaplants.co.nz Email: [email protected] Ph: 03 349 4918 14 Members of the Whau messages but this communication is Community Board in its early days. Daltons have been at the launch of the habitat site. extremely supportive with donations of mulch and compost and so has the Auckland Council who have asked contractors disposing of fallen trees to leave the mulch behind for us. Gradually the soil is being improved where required. Some of the volunteers have insisted that plants be watered in the summer but as we have no good source of water – just buckets and a creek about 200 metres away – we have tried to improve the soil to ensure the plants are not dependent on water. We are also choosing plants that are less reliant on water and planting them in groups. One big problem has been that in Butterfly Habitat at heavy rain the water would run down the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve slope (30-60 degrees) and carry all the mulch or topsoil away onto the footpath By Jacqui Knight of sunlight got to the slope. The soil was below. This has been remedied with the lockhouse Bay is a residential mostly rich and it was obvious that a addition of fallen branches arranged to suburb of Auckland, to the south- tree had fallen there some years earlier. make steps up the slope. Other poles Bwest and on the northern edge of What was growing there now was have been used to edge the path which the Manukau Harbour. On a good day regenerating bush and weeds, a mix of loops around the habitat. I can be in to the city centre in fifteen native and exotics. We now have host plants for minutes. On a ‘bad day’ why would I go I also noticed that there was a small six species of butterfly and moths into the city centre when I can enjoy the group of monarchs – perhaps a hundred planted there and to date, besides the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve – overwintering in the macrocarpa. monarchs, yellow admirals, red admirals nearby? I talked with a few locals about and blues have been seen. This winter Development of this 12 ha park, at making it ‘Butterfly Habitat’ and fired there have been hundreds of monarch the confluence of two tributaries into off a request to the Auckland Council caterpillars slowly eating away at the the Whau Creek, began in 1947 and Local Board: would an informal group swan plants – and for visitors there besides several playing-fields there are of butterfly-lovers have their blessing in are always fascinating fungi and other great footpaths connecting areas of enhancing it for butterflies? With their insects, plants and flowers to observe. bush which is a mix of exotic and native approval we got to work. I encourage others to find an plants. There’s an informal plan on what goes abandoned corner in their own It was on a walk three or four years where. Some people only wanted swan neighbourhood and develop their ago that I noticed swan plants growing plants and others were confused as own habitat, similar to Apollo Park in profusion on a north-facing slope to what was a weed. For example, do (Palmerston North) and Balmoral there. The plants were surrounded on we treat clover as a weed or leave it to Heights (Auckland). If you know of other three sides by bush and macrocarpas encourage the blue butterflies to come habitats or butterfly gardens, please (Cupressus macrocarpa) and to the back? share the details with us for a future north there were tall poplars about 100 As well as an email group there is issue of BUTTERFLIES. metres away. This meant that every bit a Facebook page where we can post Maria Romero – Butterfly Musketeer! By Jacqui Knight ast summer Christchurch resident Yates, and Mitre 10 Mega Papanui for Maria Romero worked with schools providing potting mix. Laround Canterbury to establish “I can only do so much so I’m hoping 4,000 swan plants. She was thrilled with schools in Rolleston, Brighton and the support she received: goal achieved Cashmere will work together,” she said. and a huge interest in monarchs. Maria hales from East London, coming “They are so loved,” she said. “It is to NZ in 1999, initially to Queenstown sad to see the reduction in numbers and now living in Christchurch with her each year.” husband and family: Lucas (10), Lola (8) She has huge plans for this season: and Felix (3). 8,000 swan plants and tropical Last year over a hundred schools milkweed for the monarchs. around Christchurch took advantage of Maria is asking schools to recycle Maria’s generosity. With her good work pots and/or plastic milk bottles so the future for monarchs in the South that when the plants are big enough Island looks a lot more hopeful. Check they can be sold or planted in school out her website, or community gardens. She has been www.butterflymusketeers.com. thrilled with the donation of seeds by Earthlore Insect Theme Park 15

anine and Gordon at Earthlore Insect Theme Park in Owaka going Jall out to build up their ecological jewel in South Otago. After listening to comments from their visitors they are revamping and rebranding the ’Insect Theme Park’ to’ Earthlore Wildlife Gardens’ and will open full-time this summer. Some serious thought went into the change in name, as Earthlore has started to develop a reputation for being bringing people from Owaka to Earthlore about insects, but with several years and back on the hour during summer. of being open part time and talking to Also a gift shop with carefully chosen the public, the sad truth is that learning products that will either benefit wildlife about bugs, even in a fun setting, is not or our planet, encourage learning about to everyone’s taste. wildlife, or be created in an earth- “All the early native plantings done to friendly process. encourage insects are now attracting a “The other exciting addition is the large number of birdlife,” said Gordon. launch of Gordon’s Inspector Insector “This has allowed a broadening of the book for children,” added Janine. “This theme to ‘wildlife’, which ironically, will take pride of place in the new reinforces how important insects are to shop, encouraging kids to learn and the chain of life. appreciate the importance of insects. But it’s not just about a name change. “It goes to show that bugs are still big Other additions will be a vehicle at Earthlore.”

Upcycling Challenge!

To gather ideas for our stand at the NZ Flower and Garden Show, we asked via Facebook for ideas as to how to upcycle items in the garden to improve habitat for butterflies. Thanks to Dalton's we were able to put up some wonderful prizes: $200 worth of Dalton's products for first and two runners up of $100 worth of their products. These were judged by Facebook followers. This has given us some great ideas for our Flower Show stand, and the winning entry was Gay Epstein’s feeding station pictured here. The runners up were Diane Turner (utilising old doors to make a butterfly house) and Christine Whitmore for her use of freezer baskets. Here you can see some of the upcycling ideas: feeders made from plastic flowers, artwork made from recycled materials and an old paver, and a predator-free area made from old doors. THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT 2019 butterfly calendar Looking for a Christmas present for friends, family, colleagues and clients both overseas and at home? Our new A4 calendar is full of stunning images and makes the perfect gift, even for yourself. As a member you receive special pricing thanks to our four wonderful sponsors – Gibson and Associates Accounting, Tui Products, Yealands Family Wine and Zealandia Horticulture.

Only $15 each plus postage and packaging. Get yours now in time for Christmas mailing – if sending overseas, economy mail closes early December. This is our major fundraiser for the year and all funds raised from our calendar sales go towards the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust projects. We thank you for your on going support. ONLY $15.00 Send your order in now while stocks last. February 2019 Magpie moth – Nyctemera annulata – (Maori) Mokarakara. This attractive day-flying endemic moth, which is often mistaken for a butterfly, is seen from September to June throughout the country. The moth lays clusters of shiny yellow eggs on the underside of the leaves of groundsel, ragwort and cinerarias. The hairy caterpillars, commonly known as ‘woolly bears’ are black with reddish-orange lines along the sides of the body. Both the caterpillar and moth are distasteful to predators such as birds and lizards due to the bitter-tasting compounds ingested from the sap of the food plants. The distinctive pattern and colours of both adult and caterpillar are a warning to potential predators. The moth has a weak,EACH fluttering flight of short distances only. sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday saTurday Recommended Retail Price $25. Your Price only $15 1 plus2 P&P Note: Postage and Packaging: please add $4 for 1-3

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