ISSUE 14 | SPRING 2015

Discovery of the FREE PLUS ON PAGE 16 AVATAR MOTH SEEDS ORDER YOUR 2016 WHEN YOUR CALENDAR NOW FRIEND ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: SUBSCRIBES PG 16 • The shocking swan plant dilemma! • Our 10th birthday celebrations and where to next • Butler’s ringlet – the magical mountain • The Big Backyard Butterfly Count and species sheet 2 Jane has contributed another excellent piece of From the advice about seeds to plant for the coming season and you can get yourself some free seeds just by introducing EDITOR a new subscriber to our s winter draws to a close magazine. One of the goals I am hopeful that we for this year is to build our Awill see more monarchs subscriber numbers up to CONTENTS this spring and summer. I have a feeling one thousand. We’re currently at about that the cold snap in the middle of the 300 so we have a long way to go yet. Cover photo: Avatar moth. Photo by Brian Patrick winter will have helped to reduce the But if we could all introduce one new number of social wasps and therefore subscriber, we’d be halfway there. You 2 Editorial will help the monarchs in their efforts to and the new subscriber will each get 3 The shocking swan plant increase numbers. However, as you will TWO packets of seeds providing more dilemma! read in this issue there is likely to be less beautiful colour in your garden. milkweed available in garden centres… Remember that this is the time of the 4 Our tenth birthday so we should all grow more. Get some year when we hope to sell copies of our celebration seeds in now – you’ll find plenty of calendar, currently The next 10 years advice on page 3. under production. You will recall that There is more 5 An unexpected houseguest the monarchs were information also 6 Cover story: A novel diurnal the reason that the on the back cover geometrid from the Denniston MBNZT was formed and the proceeds Plateau ten years ago and since from sales go then we have expanded towards our work 8 Magical mountain butterfly our brief to introduce in education. We 9 Ahipara School New Zealanders to our do appreciate 10 The Big Backyard other beautiful species your support; you of and moths. will receive them in time to post Butterfly Count Yes, ten years ago! We had an amazing overseas for Christmas presents. They Kowhai butterflies celebration of the ten years and the are a great way of telling others of your 11 Butterfly species to count trustees are very much looking forward support for butterflies and moths and the to the next ten years. environment. 12 Gardening with Jane Carver: Talking about our moths and other This issue we have also started Seeds for the butterfly garden species, Brian Patrick has provided two something special for families: Inspector 14 Meet Earthlore’s very own very interesting stories about a butterfly Insector is going to contribute a regular Inspector Insector... and a moth that most of us are most column which we know will appeal to the unlikely to ever see. I’m pleased to be curiosity of children. 15 Photography tip with Angela learning more about them – they are all I do hope you enjoy this your Spring Moon-Jones so beautiful. magazine. And the winners are 16 2016 Butterfly Calendar Subscribe: Free seeds for you CALLING ALL SCHOOLS and a friend Would you like to have your school featured in a forthcoming issue of Butterflies? We want to feature schools who have enjoyed their Butterflies unit (or units) and would like to share their success with and inspire other schools with Editor/Secretary: Jacqui Knight their activities. Email [email protected] for more information. [email protected] Art Director: Kristie Rogers, [email protected] Treasurer: Carol Stensness A big thank you [email protected] Please support Advertising: Angela Moon-Jones to our magazine [email protected] ISSN 2324-1993 (Print) sponsors. We couldn’t ISSN 2324-2000 (Online) OUR SPONSORS do it without you. 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 Instagram: http://instagram.com/ nzbutterfliesandmoths/ Printed in New Zealand on Cocoon 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks 3 THE SHOCKING swan plant dilemma! he MBNZT has recently learned that over the following two weeks. So Tone of NZ’s largest Auckland-based one day you have lots of leaves, a growers of swan plant is retiring. This week later and the plants can just means that this season there could be be leafless stalks. St Kentigern students grow about 81,000 less swan plants available Many gardeners don’t think swan plants in eggshells for hungry monarch caterpillars. about buying swan plant(s) until More than ever before monarchs they are prompted by a monarch plant can be placed next to an existing need our help. As well as the shocking visiting their garden in the spring. Of plant. Or, if the existing plant has no statistics coming from North America, course, ‘spring’ is governed by the leaves, then prune it and put the stems where deforestation, pesticide use, weather – who knows when spring you have cut off (with caterpillars) at the GM crops and climate change are weather will be with us? For example, base of the new plant. affecting the migration, the monarchs I have had monarchs return to my are suffering here. In this country they Auckland garden and laid eggs, so the Milkweed and monarchs are poisonous have been ravaged over the last two warmer weather may be well on its way. so be careful when handling the seasons by wasps, their major predator. On a visit to a Waiheke Island property plants. Monarch larvae store toxic Warm winters in 2013 and 2014 have not today (27 August) we found swan plants steroids (known as cardenolides) from knocked the wasp population back and covered with eggs. the milkweed they eat and use these numbers have been climbing. Hopefully Many more butterfly lovers are now cardenolides as a defence against this winter has been colder and wasp growing their own plants from seed. predators such as birds. The bright numbers have been reduced; if this is That way they know for certain that warning colours of the monarchs and so, there will be more hungry monarch the leaves are safe for caterpillars. We caterpillars warn birds of their bad caterpillars than ever. encourage everyone to hold plants over taste and toxicity. When a bird tastes Ecosystems is a fascinating topic to from previous years. When a plant is a monarch it learns to associate their explore and the relationship between over 1.5 metres in height, and if it is well colour and pattern with the bad taste monarchs and milkweed (such as the fertilised and kept healthy, the growth in and avoids preying on them in the future. swan plants) make an easy subject. the spring and summer will almost keep (Interestingly, the shining cuckoo is not Think about the predators, parasites up with the caterpillars. affected and will eat them.) There is more and pathogens that affect monarchs. If Saint Kentigern College pupils have information about this on our websitre. we “loved” swan plants as some people been using eggshells in which to Be aware that there are different types of love rose-bushes, then we would see the grow their seedlings. “Less plastic, all milkweed and a new plant or plants may monarch as a pest. biodegradable and slug repellent,” said not immediately appeal to your larvae. It is not a simple exercise for a Xanthe Noble who leads the charge to Water the plant well so that if there is an commercial operation to grow swan look after monarchs at the school. imbalance of cardenolides, they will be plants. The plants need to be in a good So if you haven’t bought your plants diluted. condition when they go on sale. The two this year, get twice as many and protect Pesticides include fly sprays, plug-in main pests are monarchs and aphids. some for next year’s monarchs. Also controls and flea collars on pets After all garden centre management get some seed – Yates give the MBNZT so bear this in mind if you bring your won’t want to sell plants that are a donation for each packet sold – and larvae indoors. covered with aphids or are bereft of grow more plants. If seedlings sprout up Don’t grow all of your swan plants in the leaves. Some growers resort to using in inconvenient places leave them until same place but in different parts of the pesticides. Hopefully they don’t release you need food. Pull out the plant, or cut garden, and with other plants nearby. their plants for sale until the chemicals it off at the stem and put it in a bucket Flowering bushes of the same height are no longer active. of water, splitting the bottom of the stem offer shelter to your monarch caterpillars, “I grow all of my plants without before you do so it will better absorb and the perfume of other flowers may sprays,” one grower told me. “I try water. also offer protection from pests. to keep the plants under cover. One Here are some tips to look after The monarch caterpillars like to eat fresh monarch slipping in the door to the your crop of caterpillars: house can be an economic disaster. I am young leaves, so summer pruning woody also faced with a worse predicament Caterpillars (or larvae) shed their skin stems will also encourage more leaf if aphids find the plants before they five times. When they are shedding growth. get to a saleable size.” their skin it is important If you have bought plants and are One scientist tells us not to disturb them. concerned that caterpillars are dying we that a female monarch lays We suggest that you suggest that you look in the forum on on average of 700 eggs. A observe the life cycle but do not our website to see if there have been captive monarch in touch or interfere. Monarchs have other similar reports – or add your own the USA was been undergoing metamorphosis for post. Don’t forget to add details like your recorded hundreds of years and do not usually locality, if the plants or new or well- as laying 1179 eggs! Additionally, need us to established, where plants have been after the caterpillar interfere. purchased from, number of caterpillars has emerged If your larvae need more food affected, if you have neighbours who from its egg it will we suggest you let them transfer spray and anything else you think is grow almost 3000 times in size themselves to the new plant. A potted relevant. 4 Our tenth birthday CELEBRATION t was ten years (Margaret Iago in July Topzand, Carol that the MBNZT Stensness, was formed in Mary Parkinson response to and Jacqui a proposed Knight) cut the development at birthday cake. the Far North’s The cake sported Butterfly Bay. If ten monarchs this development and represented had proceeded the migration in Margaret Topzand, Carol Stensness, it was possible that it was made Mary Parkinson and Jacqui Knight that the from chocolate Individually coloured paper monarch butterflies sent in by overwintering (USA), maple syrup schools all over the country for the foyer of the cinema habitat of the monarch butterfly (Canada) would have been destroyed. However, and chilli (Mexico). schools all over the country when an entomologist engaged by the Following the fiesta a and these were assembled MBNZT surveyed the site he found there mariachi band escorted into a giant artwork were actually only a handful of monarchs the group to the depicting an overwintering overwintering there; the habitat had cinema. cluster in the foyer of the already been compromised. Flight of the cinema. After the event Since that date the MBNZT has Butterflies tells the artwork was taken been active in education about NZ’s two parallel stories: to Christchurch where precious moths and butterflies, through the search for the it went on show at the this magazine and other displays overwintering site opera, Madama Butterfly. and exhibitions. Our diverse range of over decades with the It will now be used at educational resources on our website persistence of Fred the Christchurch Botanic complement the NZ School Curriculum. Urquhart in discovering Gardens in their Summer To celebrate our birthday we arranged the location, and the Exhibition. for two screenings of the sensational tale of one monarch’s As far as the movie goes, 3D movie, Flight of the Butterflies, migration to Mexico. we are hopeful that we can produced by SK Films Inc in Canada. The feedback from the find a partner and screen And what an amazing event we had! movie was all that we it to schools and general On the Monday night a special fiesta could have wanted and more. audiences throughout the country. We was held at a Mexican restaurant, where About 5,000 paper monarch butterflies, will keep you posted via our website and four of the longest serving members individually coloured, had been sent in by magazine.

A business can become a corporate member of the Trust. Starting from $200 per year their business name will appear THE NEXT 10 YEARS on our website. They will also receive four copies of each magazine along with e are working hard on conservation and raised just over $1,500 which we complimentary butterfly items. Wand educational initiatives for our are putting towards subsidising some Here are some of our projects and butterflies and moths. Both globally and screenings to schools. What an amazing items that the Trust has on their ‘wish in NZ key species are in decline, mainly experience if more of our schoolchildren list’. We are not asking for a hand-out due to habitat destruction. were to see this movie. Sadly, it is not but want to work alongside a corporate Like all , butterflies do not commercially viable and so schools and to complement their ethics and feature highly in conservation efforts families are unlikely to see it without sustainability and get their name in front and yet they are an important indicator your help. of an appropriate target market/audience. species. Monarchs are a great way of There are other ways you can help. If you are interested in these providing hands-on education for the Please tell others that for $35 per year opportunities please talk to one of the next generation of New Zealanders. they will get regular email news and trustees. Or, if you know of someone These winged ambassadors are very four magazines in the mail about our who may be interested, please ask for visible and inspirational and provide country’s precious butterflies and moths. one of our corporate brochures and we an excellent way of teaching Many of our subscribers elect to have will gladly send it by mail. lifecycles, food requirements, pest these sent to a young child in their family Tagging control and overall empathy with the – and it is a real thrill for those children to For nine years ‘citizen scientists’ all over world around us. receive the magazine through the post. New Zealand have been tagging the We funded ‘Flight of the Butterflies’ $25 investment brings the magazine to autumn generation of monarchs. Weeks in 3D for two screenings in Auckland their email Inbox as a pdf. ✿ Continued page 5 5 on the washing line so she could catch An unexpected some sun and fresh air, keeping an eye on the cat of course! Tatty died in April, some six weeks later, after living the average Monarch HOUSEGUEST butterfly’s lifespan – maybe even more as we don’t know how old she was By Jeanette Calvert, Christchurch when she came to us. What was great was that she left many eggs behind, n February a rather dishevelled young ‘Tatty’ possibly the result of being put in with Ilady arrived on my driveway. Her wings boys, when I thought she too was a were so damaged that wing fixing and boy, that’s what happens when there’s flight were impossible. I could not bear and exploring the resident plants. not much wing left to tell the difference! to euthanase her so took on the task of Every morning she would climb onto Some people may not approve of caring for her. my fingers ready to be placed on the keeping Tatty but I felt privileged and ‘Tatty’ was the model Lepidoteran breakfast offering of flowers, fruit or enjoyed caring for her. In my sadness I house guest; she hung out in my nectar solution (her favourite). Every so know that she’s now got a whole new smaller castle as room to fly was not often I would let her out to walk around set of beautiful wings. an issue and spent her days climbing the room and would hang the castle RIP Tat x

✿ From page 4 caterpillar a name and over the next four business practice and protocols as well or days later, someone may find their weeks their egg, caterpillar, chrysalis as social networking. tagged monarch and enters the details then adult send by email regular updates Educational Resources which on our website. Immediately an email as to their growth, with photographs. complement the New Zealand is sent to the tagger and the finder with Other projects curriculum and would be freely available details of that monarch’s journey. The National Butterfly Centre including to all schools. data collected, over 10,000 reports, is an educational facility, outdoor habitat now being analysed. Motor Vehicle for our educators for butterflies and moths, a library and to travel to speaking engagements Adopt a Virtual Caterpillar information centre with indoor research and to facilitate setting up displays Children ‘sign up’ to an email list, laboratory. and exhibitions. Through members’ promising to care for their virtual Website Enhancements to enable generosity we have already raised more monarch caterpillar. They give their our organisation to conform to modern than $2,000 for such a vehicle. 6 A novel diurnal geometrid from the DENNISTON PLATEAU Story and photos by Brian and Hamish Patrick

ne of the entomological highlights observed in captivity to be cannibalistic The species appears to be absent Oand rewards of venturing into the on fellow larvae that had died. Larvae from the adjacent Umbrella Mountains NZ alpine zone is the abundance and are active by day, as are the adults, and and The Remarkables, but possibly diversity of day-flying geometrid moths. grow to 16mm. They are bright green we missed it there. In the mountains These gorgeous and elusive species with red and white triangular marks on of Central Otago it lives in cushion belong to nine genera and at least their dorsal surface. When moving they wetlands and snowbanks where its 75 species are known. New species have a distinctive jerking action in that larvae feed on various herbs including continue to be discovered as new they are both quick and repetitive in their Plantago and Coprosma. mountain peaks are explored. Here is the stretching forward and touching of the The adults fly by day low over the story of one such adventure in 2012. ground and vegetation. open vegetation and are found between Prior to our discovery of the Adults first appear by mid-September early December and mid-April in such Avatar moth, the genus Arctesthes at low altitude sites and the last records places. They can be locally common in (Geometridae; Larentiinae) was known are from early May whereas most alpine these habitats. In low alpine habitats of to contain three diurnal species, all and high alpine records are between Central Otago, both these Arctesthes endemic to the South Island: the small December and March. catapyrrha and A. siris can sometimes be orange and brown Arctesthes catapyrrha The species appears to have up to found flying together in cushion wetlands is widespread from coastal herbfield and three generations per year at lowland such as at 1400m on Symes Road on saltmarsh, through inland basins of short and inland montane sites but perhaps the Old Man Range. tussock and cushionfield to herbfields in just one at its altitudinal extreme. The third species remains the low alpine zone just above treeline The other two species have much undescribed. – we have amassed 215 records of narrower distributions as follows. In March 2004 Eric Edwards from the this species since 1971 highlighting its On 6 February 1906 railwayman J H Department of Conservation showed me abundance and wide distribution. Lewis discovered Arctesthes siris high up insects caught during the Tenure Review The brightly coloured larvae are on the Old Man Range in Central Otago survey of the Von Valley, Northern polyphagous (eat a wide range of plants) at 1320m. It is a small attractive neatly- Southland and I recognised one of these having been found and reared from marked species – yellow, brown, red and as being a new geometrid. Looking at various native and exotic plant species orange – and is confined to adjacent the underside I realised it was probably including Trifolium (Fabeaceae – exotic mountain ranges in Central Otago. in the genus Arctesthes as the underside clover), the creeping Nertera balfouriana, We have recorded this species 37 pattern was similar to A. catapyrrha, N. setulosa, and Coprosma atropurpurea times since 1982 from seven discrete although the individual was considerably (all Rubiaceae), Scleranthus, Stellaria alpine areas in Central Otago. It is larger than that species. and Colobanthus (all Caryophylidae), found between 1050-1140m on the We quickly organised a field trip to the Polygonum plebeium (Polygoniaceae), Lammermoor and 1200-1380m on site at White Burn in the Von Valley to Oreomyrrhis rigida (Apiaceae) and the Rock and Pillar Ranges of eastern collect and observe the species while it the cushionplant Raoulia tenuicaulis Central Otago, 1050-1150m on South was still flying and by 10am the next day (Asteraceae). In captivity the larvae will Rough Ridge further inland, 1150-1620m had found the species to be reasonably readily feed on Plantago and Epilobium on the Garvie Mountains, Old Man and common in cushion wetlands close to and as these plants are often found Old Woman Ranges of nuclear Central the hut, flying in sunny weather. The at many of its known sites, they are Otago, and 1700-1850m on the Pisa site at 740m was open cushion wetland possible natural hostplants. Range of more western parts of the dominated by combsedge Oreobolus Interestingly larvae have been Central Otago mountains ranges. pectinatus with a species-rich herb flora,

Avatar habitat on the Denniston Plateau 7 set amongst a short tussockland. The original specimens – two females – were collected on 17 February 2004, with Discovery of the the follow-up specimens found on 6 March 2004. More were found on 17 February 2007 Avatar moth in wetlands in the north branch of the Von ur family participated in the River at 820m. OBioBlitz on the Denniston Adults fly fast and low over these Plateau (650m) on 2-4 March 2012 wetlands, often settling on the low plants. in response to the threat of open- The females laid yellow eggs on plant cast coal mining there. Situated leaves which hatched thirteen days later. above Westport, this plateau had Larvae were given a variety of exotic and not been thoroughly explored for native herbs to feed on of which Plantago, indigenous insects so it was no prostrate-growing Coprosma, Ranunculus, surprise that a spectacular new Bellis and Trifolium were eaten. The first day-flying geometrid in the genus instar larvae are brown-grey in colour and Arctesthes would be uncovered quite active. there. To date adult moths have been found on A single distinctive male of this four occasions during February and March, species was found on 3 March 2012. It was disturbed in a wetland of short but as they were relatively numerous each sedges and herbs, caught by the wind and blown 50m, found again flying time and in good condition, their flight in sunshine but much later netted! Judging by its perfect condition, the period probably extends from late January specimen was newly emerged pointing to a March – April flight period for to late March at least. the species. Many hours were spent in sunny weather looking for further The species is at present only known from specimens across the Denniston Plateau, but no further adults were found. two localities in the valley of the Von River, The Forest & Bird Society ran a public competition to choose a common northern Southland, south of Lake Wakatipu. name for this new species, the highlight of the BioBlitz, and from the many Both the north and south branches of the entries we chose the Avatar moth as the winning entry. The blockbuster Von River harbour wetlands on their valley movie Avatar directed by James Cameron is the story of a peaceful floors that are a mixture of cushion and human-like people who live in harmony with nature until an inter-galactic moss bogs at 800-820m surrounded by mining company threaten their environment and existence. With a mining short tussock or copper tussocklands. company threatening to do the same to the sole known population of this The cushion plant Oreobolus pectinatus is species, the analogy was perfect. the dominant cushion species, but a wide Our family returned to the Denniston Plateau on 22-23 March 2014 range of grasses, herbs and sedges share and discovered one more population of the Avatar moth, this time on this habitat. These wetlands are relatively the margin of a wetland closer to the township at the northern end extensive across the valley floors of these of the plateau. Here the species was locally common and appeared two adjacent valleys, with small individual to be attached to the lush rhizomatous herb Liparophyllum gunnii wetlands. (Gentianaceae). This may be the larval hostplant, but like the moth is not Given the narrow distribution of this widespread or abundant over the plateau as a whole. species and the fragility of its wetland We returned to the site last April to study the moth’s abundance, habitat which is still managed for extensive distribution and ecology and better define the threat from mining pastoralism, this species is threatened with which has already started on the plateau. Both of these undescribed* extinction. Although relatively abundant Arctesthes species discovered in recent years are highly endangered and here, the habitat is small and vulnerable this is reflected in their threat rankings published by the Department of to damage from farming practices such Conservation. as over-sowing, grazing, stock trampling and vehicle damage. Additionally the *‘Undescribed’ refers to a species (e.g. a butterfly or moth) that has been discovered but not yet formally described and named. The various Nomenclature Codes specify areas are mostly unfenced so recreational the requirements for a new taxon to be validly described and named. Until such a vehicles have access and could easily inflict description has been published, the taxon has no formal or official name, although a damage to the wetlands; this has happened temporary, informal name is often used. elsewhere in Otago and Southland.

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available at garden centres nationwide. www.omniproducts.co.nz 8 Magical mountain

Story and photos BUTTERFLY by Brian Patrick

utler’s ringlet (Erebiola butleri above) Bis our only butterfly living in magical alpine hideaways far from roads and four-wheel drive tracks. I know of no place where you can drive to its remote habitat, making it unique amongst our butterflies. So a steep climb or hitching a ride on a helicopter is the only method with which to discover this pretty endemic butterfly. It is regarded as the only species in this genus although my son Hamish’s DNA analysis hinted at possibly two species rather than the one we currently recognise. Canterbury runholder John D. Enys discovered two NZ alpine butterflies in the 1870s. The first was the first record of one of our alpine black butterflies when he found Percnodaimon pluto on the Craigieburn Range on his high- country run of Castle Hill. Later he discovered three examples of the fine Butler’s ringlet at the head of the Rakaia River on Whitcombe Pass (1150-1200m) on 8 March 1879. On the same day he found both P. pluto and his new E. butleri at Whitcombe Pass. Both species were described by his Canterbury colleague, Christchurch lawyer William Fereday Top: Female Erebiola butleri; Above left: Male Erebiola butleri; Above right: Erebiola butleri. with Butler’s ringlet being named later in 1879. Arthur Butler, from the British meadows from1200m to 1800m altitude, and various Percnodaimon species, Museum for whom the butterfly was but with occasional records in adjacent although the latter fly over rock and named, played an important role in valley-floors down to 770m. The more scree slopes mostly whereas in contrast the description of many of our NZ orange-coloured females are much less Butler’s ringlet is always seen flying over . often encountered, preferring to hide snow tussock. Later geologist Dr Julius Von Haast amongst the dense tussocks. Adults The adults of Butler’s ringlet are told Fereday that he also had found this have a wingspan between 32-45 mm. sexually dimorphic, with the female butterfly at Whitcombe Pass in 1866 Its distribution encompasses the having a close resemblance to tussock prior to Enys’ discovery. Paparoa Range in north Westland and butterflies in the genusArgyrophenga , Butler’s ringlet is a very distinct Spencer and Victoria ranges north of while the males resemble some of the species and is a good reward for Lewis Pass south to the mountains alpine black butterflies in their uniform those who venture into our western surrounding Lake Wakatipu and east dark colouration. The pretty pattern South Island uplands in late summer. to the peaks above Lake Hawea. It on the underside of the hindwings It prefers densely grassy areas where is particularly common in the wetter immediately distinguishes them from snow tussocks dominate and there is western ranges of the Southern Alps their close relatives among NZ’s alpine abundant moisture too. The dark brown between late December and late butterflies. males fly slow and low over the canopy March. It is often found flying with The brown-striped larvae with two anal of snow tussock and can be extremely other alpine satyrine butterflies such as points feed on the foliage of these snow abundant on calm warm days in alpine Argyrophenga janitae and A. antipodum tussocks, growing quite slowly before pupating among leaf litter at the base of John Enys was the editor of our first book on NZ butterfliesCatalogue of the the hostplant. The larval hosts recorded Butterflies of New Zealand (1880) by A G Butler. This book was based on a include the snow tussocks Chionochloa paper published by Butler from 1878, prior to the discovery of Butler’s ringlet by crassiuscula, C. australis and C. macra. Enys, but Enys as editor repeated Fereday’s description of Butler’s ringlet and Adults have been observed feeding on illustrated its upperside and underside colour pattern in the book. He also added nectar of various flowers such as the valuable notes on the sixteen NZ butterfly species he recognised at that time. white Gentianella – gentians. From my This small book contains a preface by Enys and has lovely colour illustrations – observations the life-cycle is annual; it is a real collector’s item.” possibly a two-year cycle but with adults found in most localities every summer. 9 AhiparaAhipara SchoolSchool

tudents at Ahipara School Sin the Far North have been studying butterflies and have made an amazing mural to beautify one wall which shelters their butterfly garden. The school is semi-rural at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach, catering for students from Years 1 to 8. The school has a largely Mäori student roll, with 25 percent European/ Päkehä students and a small number of other cultures.

Left: June Matiu; Above: Kauri Tane and Max Donald

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PO Box 283 Katikati 3166 Ph: 07 549 3409 • Fax: 07 549 3408 10 The Big Backyard BUTTERFLY COUNT o raise awareness of New groups. We will be inviting TZealand’s native butterflies we have NZ Gardener readers and embarked on a new project: The Big Forest & Bird members Backyard Butterfly Count. Between but you can do your bit 10 - 20 November this year we will be too and invite those that encouraging everyone to make a count you know who will be of the species that they see in their interested. garden. These will be entered into a In the beginning the Photo by Brian Patrick sheet (opposite page) – and we will data collected will give repeat the sheet in the next issue of our us a baseline or snapshot consistent between counts (different magazine, the Summer issue. Feel free of our Lepidoptera species in gardens, years). to copy and spread this page or the one parks, schools and on farmland. Data Butterfly counts are a regular event in the Summer issue to friends far and from future years will show us trends in in Britain, Europe and North America wide. the populations and what is happening and scientists are learning so much We want everyone to participate: to them by environmental factors. about what is happening to the world’s on Great Barrier and Stewart and You may decide to count your Lepidoptera. Butterflies and day-flying the Chatham Islands. Schools, scout butterflies on one particular day – or moths are excellent subjects because groups, gardening clubs, conservation total them up over the ten day period. they are so visible and better known than groups, Young Farmers Clubs, walking However, it’s important that you are other insects. Kowhai BUTTERFLIES Readers will recall an item in our Winter 2014 magazine about a proposed artwork to beautify a concrete wall at Dominion Road in Auckland’s central city area. The artwork has now been completed and was officially opened at the end of March by a delegation from the Auckland Council as well as the former mayor of Waitakere (and our patron), Sir Bob Harvey. Throughout the winter it has been turning the heads of visitors to the city – pedestrians and cyclists – as well as inspiring the locals. It is complemented by the garden planted on an otherwise grassy Council-owned patch of land, too small and steep to accommodate a building, on the adjacent corner. Although she insists it’s a community project, the garden has been lovingly developed and tended by Lyn Barnes. “I’ve seen red admirals here, twice recently,” she said. Chairman of the Albert-Eden Local Board of Auckland Council, Peter Haynes, was more than complimentary about the stunning artwork which has brightened up a formerly neglected area of the city. And Sir Bob Harvey, who grew up in the street, was delighted to see how the area had been transformed.

Top: Painted wall; Left: Tunnel through to Dominion Road; Right: Council-owned land tended by Lyn Barnes. Photos by Jim Diers 11 Butterfly species to count

1 2 3 4 1. Cabbage white (Pieris rapae) 2. Large white (Pieris brassicae) 3. Red admiral (Vanessa gonerilla) 4. Yellow admiral (Vanessa itea).

5 6 7 8 5. Monarch (Danaus plexippus) 6. Common blue ( otis labradus) 7. Southern blue (Zizina oxleyi) 8. Long-tailed blue (Lampides boeticus)

9 10 11 12 9. Coastal copper ( salustius) 10. Glade copper (Lycaena feredayi) 11. North Island Common copper 12. Central Otago (Lycaena) (Lycaena edna)

13 14 15 16 13. Rauparaha’s copper 14. Boulder copper 15. Tussock butterfly 16. Painted lady (Cynthia kershawi) (Lycaena rauparaha) (Lycaena boldenarum) (Argyrophenga antipodum)

17 18 19 20 Research Photos courtesy of Landcare 17. Honshu white admiral 18. Magpie moth (Nyctemera annulata) 19. Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaea) 20. Lesser wanderer (Danaus petilia) (Limenitis glorifica) 1. Cabbage white (Pieris rapae) – one and Otago. complex of several non-overlapping Otago-Southland does this distinctive of our most common and widespread 8. Long-tailed blue (Lampides species. All have a double black line butterfly fly at low altitude. lowland butterflies. boeticus) – small blue species easy to on the forewing veins, and darker 16. Painted lady (Cynthia kershawi) 2. Large white (Pieris brassicae) – so identify with its tails at the base of the banded females. – a regular spring migrant to New far only known from Nelson city. Note hindwing. 13. Rauparaha’s copper (Lycaena Zealand. its larger size than the cabbage white 9. Coastal copper (Lycaena salustius) rauparaha) – South Island only, south 17. Honshu white admiral – recently butterfly and the lack of spots in the – North Island coast only. Note the to South Canterbury. Note the uniform introduced as a biological control male forewing. thin black lines on forewing veins. chocolate colouring of the underside agent for Japanese honeysuckle. 3. Red admiral (Vanessa gonerilla) of the hindwings and thin dark line on 10. Glade coppers (Lycaena feredayi the forewing veins. 18. Magpie moth (Nyctemera and Chatham Is (Vanessa ida) – two and L. enysii) – the former is in the annulata and N. amica) – the similar species; one on mainland NZ, South Island and the latter in the 14. Boulder copper (Lycaena Australian magpie moth (N. amica) other only Chatham Islands. North Island. Colourful brown and boldenarum and undescribed species) is moving south and now dominates 4. Yellow admiral (Vanessa itea). yellow undersides to the hindwings – the former is confined to the North populations at least as fae south as Island and several undescribed 5. Monarch (Danaus plexippus). and dark-banded forewings. Nelson City. The Australian species species in lowland parts of the has overall larger white spots. 6. Common blue (Zizina otis labradus) 11. North Island Common copper South Island. Small purplish males – widespread in North Island and top (Lycaena edna) – large bright orange and orange females distinguish this 19. Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaea) third of South Island as well as the species confined to the North Island; complex from other copper butterfly – bright crimson and black day-flying West Coast. often found together with North Island species. moth. coastal copper. 7. Southern blue (Zizina oxleyi) 15. Tussock butterfly (Argyrophenga 20. Other butterflies such as forest – distinctive underside pattern to 12. South Island common copper antipodum) – only in Canterbury- ringlet, blue moon, lesser wanderer, hindwings; common in Canterbury (Lycaena undescribed species) – a blue tiger, meadow argus. 12

Gardening With Jane Carver SEEDS FOR THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN ith spring now in the air it is time some excellent suppliers of seed Wto think of seed sowing and on Trade Me who will do a deal on scattering, and there are many fantastic postage and quantity if you buy more varieties of flowers loved by butterflies than a couple of packets. I have which are easy to grow from seed. purchased online from many of these First think about what type of area you traders over the years and have never have to grow some flowers and perhaps been let down yet. a few swan plants for the monarchs For those who like to peruse and a patch of nettles for the catalogues I would admirals. To get a head start on recommend Kings Seed the season it may pay to catalogue. If you are buy a couple of swan a first time customer plants and allow them they will charge you to grow tall at the back, for the first one, but and while waiting for that after regular ordering to happen have some it will just arrive in more coming along the post. Kings have from seed as a follow an extensive range of up strategy for the big seeds for everything rush of caterpillars later from vegetables to in the season. sprouts and gourmet For the front of the same foods. Their flower range is very border the smaller Asclepias extensive with many choices. curassavica will provide more leaves for They supply smaller quantities for those caterpillars to eat, and the flowers the small garden or field selections come in a lovely range of colours from which will cover very large areas and gold through to orange and red. Put the are suitable for roadside plantings, taller-growing plants at the back and the understory orchard plantings, fields of shorter ones at the front for a pleasing flowers and naturalising in wasteland look and easier maintenance. areas. Seeds can be purchased from a To begin with try something number of places including the MBNZT spectacular that will provide you with or your local garden centre. For those of seed for next year and will enthral you you who like to purchase online there are this summer – sunflowers. Go for a few Top: Coreopsis; Above: Dahlia: Top right: Ageratum houstonianum; Middle: Aster; Below: Cosmos 13

tall ones at the back – butterflies love If your garden gets heat and is prone Left: Zinnia elegans with bumble bee; them. to dry or even poor soil – zinnias! Middle: Asclepias curassavica; Also try ageratum, asters, bergamots, Now if there isn’t room for all that – Right: Marigold calendula cosmos, coreopsis, cleome, cornflowers, then dig up that lawn – most butterflies dahlias (especially single, orange- don’t like lawns much. The best way to avoid the decimation coloured ones), echinacea, gaillardia And a word of advice about the white is to plant your brassicas in March. The and heleniums. All are high in nectar and butterfly. For those of you thinking about white butterfly lifecycle will be finished loved by bees and butterflies. If you have a vegetable patch this spring, you could in April. Grow your cabbages and caulis more space left go for larkspurs, lupins, do what I do. throughout the winter when there are marigolds, mignonette and nasturtium. We grow only the summer crops NO beans and tomatoes and no white Poppies of all kinds are easy and will like beans, spinach, tomatoes, butterflies either. That doesn’t mean you obligingly self-seed for next year. Salvias pumpkins, zucchini, and all the won’t see any, I still get plenty flying over of every kind! heat-tolerant vegetables. Avoid the my patch, but they have to look to the Lastly you must have some rudbeckia brassica (Cruciferae) family of cabbage, wasteland and lay their eggs outside – sticky with nectar and gorgeous, plus cauliflower, broccoli, turnips etc so the gate on wild radishes and escaped sunflowers of all kinds. that you don’t have to spray anything brassica cover crops from the previous If you’re poor ask around for throughout the summer! If you like to year. White butterflies are pretty and Jerusalem artichokes – not only do you see thousands of white butterflies in plenty of them still visit the buddleia but get the beauty of sunflower-like flowers your vegetable garden decimating the I get to harvest our crops before they get but in the winter you can dig up your cabbages, cauliflowerss and broccoli to eat them! root crop, and the plant will sprout again then go right ahead and plant them in Happy gardening and happy seed from what is left behind. the spring. scattering – Jane. Kings caring for

SURE TO GROW GUARANTEE Temquissit eum voluptat Anda sit que velendita id aruntmin ressed quam rem. vend ignimus. Ro For more information on b mincia doloriste verspiciat ea utterfly gardening write to: udisit ea quia dolum la qui cum dolorep Moths and Butterflies of New bo. PO Box 44100,SURE Pt Cheval TO GROW Zealand Trust ier, Auckland 1246. Phone 09 551 3383 www.monarch.org.nzGUARANTEE . KINGS VIP CLUB tat arunt ressed quam rem Temquissit eum volup . Ro A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ta id minvend ignimus Join the Kings VIP Club to receive our butterfliesAnda sit que velendi rep newsletters, VIP exclusive BUTTERFLY GARDENING rspiciat eaqui cum dolo KEY POINTSmincia doloriste ve specials, bo. competitions and discount • Each speciesudisit of ea butterfly quia dolum la Avouchers COMPLETE GUIDE TO or moth needs specific host plants. Female adults w BUTTERFLY GARDENING write to: the species that their juvenil ill only lay eggs on n on butterfly gardening For more informatio • Research before you beg e forms will eat. VISIT YOUR LOCAL KINGS es of New Zealand Trust KINGS VIPin planting CLUB to Moths and Butterfli determine which plants b to receive our FORREST HILL valier, Auckland 1246. Join the Kingsto VIP use Clu and how 1 Forrest Hill Road, Ph 080 PO Box 44100, Pt Che much space is required. lusive specials, HENDERSON 0 752 687 3 newsletters, VIP exc 224 Universal Drive, Ph Phone 09 551 338 • Insecticides harm all stag unt vouchers HOWICK 836 9635 z competitions and disco 280 Botany Road, Ph 2 www.monarch.org.n Try organic gardening es of the butterfly cycle. REMUERA 73 8527 and IPM (integrated pest 236 Orakei Road, Ph 5 management). Seek out a ST LUKES 24 9400 Visit Kings Plant Barn – pick up 118 Asquith Avenue, Ph 84 the Moths and Butterfliesdvice Ne on the website of SILVERDALE Cnr East Coast Rd & Main H6 2141 cific w Zealand Trust. KEY POINTS • Sunny gardensVISIT attract th YOUR LOCAL KINGSTAKAPUNA way, Ph 426 0401 tterfly or moth needs spes on Ph 0800 752 687 11 Porana Road, Ph 443 2221 • Each species of bu plant nectar-rich flowerse most1 butterflies Forrest Hill so Road, TAKANINI adults will only lay egg FORREST HILL e, Ph 836 9635 163 Airfield Road, Ph host plants. Female and host224 plants Universal in Driv 298 8736 r juvenile forms will eat. the sunniest partHENDERSON of the gard h 273 8527 the species that thei • Choose plants that will bl en. 280 Botany Road, P u begin planting to HOWICK h 524 9400 • Research before yo ow throughout the year. Try oom at 236different Orakei times Road, P ich plants to use and h REMUERA ue, Ph 846 2141 determine wh experimenting118 Asquith with Aven OPEN 4017 DAYS ed. a variety of plantsST LUKES Main Hway, Ph 426 0 much space is requir that appeal to different es of the butterfly cycle.butterfly and moth species. Cnr East Coast Rd & 1Call 0800 PLANTS a FREE copy of your Butterflyst SILVERDALE • Insecticides harm all stag • Provide a sunny spot for ba 11 Porana Road, Ph 443 222 ng and IPM (integrated pe TAKAPUNA , Ph 298 8736www.kings.co.nz Try organic gardeni the website of sking and163 shelter Airfield Road ). Seek out advice on for the wind and rain.TAKANINI management rflies New Zealand •Trust. Nectar plants provide the Moths and Butte so food for the adult tract the most butterflies butterflies, while host plants Sunny gardens at • rs and host plants inSome nectar plants are feed caterpillars. plant nectar-rich flowe also host plants, the garden. e.g. swan plants. OPEN 7 DAYS the sunniest part of s bloom at different time Choose plants that will Call 0800 PLANTS • ry experimenting with Garden Guide and checkthroughout the year. T outwww.kings.co.nz hat appeal to different a variety of plants t species. butterfly and moth or basking and shelter • Provide a sunny spot f for the wind and rain. food for the adult • Nectar plants provide rs. ost plants feed caterpilla butterflies, while h e also host plants, Some nectar plants ar 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 14 Meet Earthlore’s very own INSPECTOR INSECTOR...

nspector Insector’s all insects, everywhere, but most especially, all the insects, IHQ are at Earthlore’s spiders, snails, slugs and worms who live in Bug City. Bug Central, just a short flutter from But what is Bug City you ask? Bug City – home to Bug City is a town built especially for insects with insect more than two million houses which each have their own letterbox, a café called ‘The insects. This includes Lunch Munch’, a swimming pool, Bugsbetter Hospital and of Her Royal Highness course, an Information Centre where people can learn about the Queen Bee who how the insects in Bug City live their lives. has put You will also find a big top in Inspector Earthlore’s buzzy back field where the Insector Great Orlando’s Magical Flea Circus in charge, puppet show performs amazing not only insect acts to thrill and astound of keeping visitors. the streets of Bug City safe but because people aren’t doing that much to help insects these days, he must now also look after all the other insects in the country. As you can imagine this is a very big job and so the Inspector is asking for your help. Become a licensed Insect Investigator Inspector Insector needs you to solve the puzzling insect mysteries which will be appearing in future issues of Butterfliesand use what you learn to help protect all of NZ’s wonderful insects. Contact the Inspector at [email protected] or through his website www.earthlore.co.nz to join the Special Insect Squad and become a licensed Insect Investigator. When you become a licensed Insect Investigator you will receive a notebook with an official badge, a magnifying glass, a Private Investigator’s Licence and a special case of your own to work on. The licence fee is only $35.00. The first mystery will be in the Summer issue ofButterflies . Why not sign up now? Earthlore is a very insect-friendly place with a big area set aside as dedicated insect conservation habitat for native NZ insects. It is at Owaka in Otago in the rugged, forested Catlins, close to the border with Southland about 35 km south of Balclutha on the Southern Scenic Route. Insects will always have a home there. And they will be safe too because Inspector Insector works very hard to protect 15 Jersey Tiger moth showing Photography Tip its striped black and white with Angela Moon-Jones forewings and red hind wings.

When photographing Lepidoptera be sure to get images of the underside too. It not only helps for identification but can also capture some interesting aspects, in this case the spotted body of the Jersey Tiger moth in Italy.

Jersey Tiger moth underside is also very colourful with spots on its body.

Jamieson, David Jones, Alison Kagen, ‘Butterfly Beauties’ selections worth AND THE WINNERS ARE Niki Keehan, Kelston Early Childhood over $20 – a packet of Asclepias The following people were the first Centre, Kio Kio School, Jacqui Knight, Butterfly Flower Finest Blend, swan 100 to renew their subscription/join Kaylee Kolkman, Jason Koning, Bev plant, Cosmos Kaleidoscope, Rudbeckia and therefore won a packet of tithonia Laing, Kay Langdon, Phil Law, Carmen Rustic Dwarf Mix and Zinnia Zahara seeds kindly donated by Kings Seeds. Maris, Christine Marsh, Sue Martin, Raspberry Lemonade. Those winners Jane Abdee, Michael Abrams, Terri Kathryn McIntyre, Ellen Meharry, Gary were: Samuel Dickson, Simon Elkington, Adamson, Kay Ahearn, Nigel Bain, Ruth Moore, Sue Muggleston, Craig Murray, Kelston Early Childhood Centre, Jessie Baird, Anna Barnett, Rachel Bastings, Helen Norman, Megan Norquay, McKenzie and Victor Pawley. Rebecca Bibby, Hilary Bisschops, Sylvia Stefan Olson, M & W Oosterhoff, Mary Enjoy your seeds. If you weren’t lucky Bowles, Shane Caley, Jeanette Calvert, Parkinson, Brian Patrick, Pauls Family, here, there’s another offer: Why not Isaac Campbell, Jeannette Cavanagh, Victor Pawley, Tony Peet, Oscar Pinfold, introduce a friend to the MBNZT. When Geoffrey Chamberlain, Brenda Cooper, Grant Plimmer, Debbie Rendle, Katelynn they sign up, you and they will receive Sherry Coulson, Tracy de Leeuw, Sue Richardson, Richard Rowe, Barbara two packets of seeds (that’s right – Dela Rue, Samuel Dickson, C & C Rusbridge, Anatole Sergejew, Julie four in total!) Two will be the delightful Diggle, Malcolm Douglass, Barbara Simpson, Beverley Sinclair, Sandra tweedia with its delicate blue star- Edwards, Madeleine Edwards, Tim Singleton, Martie Sisson, Zephyr Smith, shaped flowers (and the foliage Fairhall, Maria Fels, George Gibbs, Dealla Smith, Lesley Smith, Rachel can be eaten by monarch caterpillars) Jordan Gibson, Lily Graham, Lynn Somerville, Ruth Swale, Sally Tagg, Paul and the other two packets will contain Green, Barry Greenbrook, Diane Taylor, Tom Tulloch, Diane Turner, Anais snail vine – this has beautiful flowers Greenwood, Diane Griffin, Sebena Wall, Chrissie Ward, Kathleen Waterreus, with an amazing perfume, the flowers Gummer, Jill Hack, Jo Harvell, Alison Heinz Wieser, Pippa Wisheart and Neville are pink and beige and mauve and look Harwood, Marece Hollander, Errol Wright. just like snail shells, hence the name. Hooker, C & S Horne, Nola Huggins, There was a lucky draw for five Supplies are limited so be in to win! Nicky Humphris, Ross Jackson, Robyn winners who will receive Kings Seeds See page 16 for details. THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT 2016 BUTTERFLY CALENDAR

Looking for a Christmas present for friends, family, colleagues and clients both overseas and at home? Our ONLY new A4 calendar is full of stunning images and makes the $15.00 perfect gift, even for yourself. As a member you receive EACH special pricing thanks to our three wonderful sponsors this plus P&P year – Gibson and Associates Accounting, Tui Products and Zealandia Horticulture. Only $15 each plus postage and packaging, including envelope for on-sending. Get yours now in time for Christmas mailing – if sending overseas, economy mail to Australia closes 10 December and all other countries 3 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. Our

February 2015 Common copper Lycaena salustius – (Maori) Pepe Para Riki – Photo by Rob Herd The most abundant of our four copper butterflies, the habitat of this active little endemic butterfly ranges from sand dunes to subalpine tussock country. It can be seen from November to April. The eggs are laid on three species of and the resulting caterpillar is rather unusual in that it looks more like a velvety green slug, the legs being obscured by the fleshy flanges that overhang the body. The pupae can be found among the dead leaf litter beneath the food plant, and the adult butterfly emerges after eighteen days or so, living a short life of about two weeks. A number of committee and Trustees thank you for your on-going support. varying forms have been recognised throughout different regions.

sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday saTurday Send your order in now while stocks last. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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15 16 17 18 19 20 21 You too can help to increase the Copper numbers by planting Muehlenbecka in your Note: Postage and Packaging: please add $3 for 1-3 calendars. garden landscape. This pretty plant is ideal for both gardens and containers.

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Your future, your accountants Phone (09) 529-1907 Common copper Lycaena salustius – (Maori) Pepe Para Riki – Photo by Rob Herd [email protected] www.gibsonca.co.nz Inside pages from 2015 calendar Inside pages from FREE SEEDS FOR YOU AND A FRIEND 1 year for only*

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

Encourage a friend or family member to take out a subscription to Butterflies magazine and you both will get TWO packets of seeds for your butterfly garden (that’s a total of four packets of seeds). Seed packs include two packets of Oxypetalum coeruleum (often called tweedia) and

Oxypetalum coeruleum Vigna caracalla two packets of Vigna caracalla seeds, common name snail vine. Note: These seeds will be sent in one envelope to the person you introduce – so make sure that you get them! ✂ ❑ Yes I want to receive the quarterly magazine online for $25 OR MY DETAILS: Mr / Mrs / Ms ❑ Yes I want to receive the printed quarterly magazine by post for $35 First Name:______❑ Yes I wish to make a donation to MBNZT (state amount) $______❑ Yes I wish to pre-order the 2016 Calendar for $15 plus $3 P&P Last Name:______

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