1ISSUE 17 | WINTER 2016

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Mesmerised by Monarchs | Delightful Dahlias | Memories to Treasure 2 I am sure you will be fascinated by our puriri moth featuring in this issue. Not From the many people realise that they take about five years from egg to adult… and then Editor live for about 48 hours! If you haven’t got dahlias growing idwinter usually means in your garden, you’ll change a dearth of butterflies your mind when you read CONTENTS M but this year has certainly not our gardening feature. As well, Brian Cover photo: Nicholas A Martin been typical. At Te Puna Quarry Park Patrick tells of another fascinating moth. there are hundreds (yes, hundreds) of We are very excited about events that 2 Editorial monarch caterpillars and pupae. In my are coming up: not only our plans for our garden my nettles are covered with beautiful forest ringlet but our presence hundreds (yes, hundreds) of admiral at two major shows in Auckland in 3 Certification larvae in their little tent cocoons, November. Thanks to the Body Shop overwintering. My midwinter nectar is On another note, we have plans covered in monarchs, still mating and for rolling out the movie Flight of the 4-5 Ghosts & egg-laying. It could make for a very busy, Butterflies in 3D to a cinema near you. early spring! Because it will be another three months Puriri Moths One of the best parts of my work for before our next magazine we urge you the MBNZT is seeing people’s delight to sign up for our e-news (free) to keep 6 The Trust at Work at a butterfly release. I recently spoke updated with more timely information. to a group of senior citizens. Edna, over mb.org.nz/wp-login.php?action=register 7 Mesmerised by Monarchs 100 years, released the monarchs I took Now is a great time to be thinking along. Everyone was moved. (See photo) about the coming butterfly season. It’s 8-9 a perfect time to be doing our Create Delightful Butterfly Habitat course on line so we’ve Dahlias set up a special midwinter intake starting COME 20 July. Get in now while there are places 10-11 A Celebration to left! You’ll love it… easy to follow and you’ll be surprised at how much you Of Our Rocky Places MEXICO didn’t know about monarch butterflies and see the and other species too. 12 On the Case Magical Monarch Migration for yourself with Inspector Insector PLUS • Fascinating culture 13 Memories to Treasure • Amazing food • Outstanding history 14 The Trust at Work 2 January 2017 15 Did You Know Tour starts in NZ Small Group 16 Membership Renewal Register your interest now [email protected]

Editor/Secretary: Jacqui Knight [email protected] Graphic Designer: Jai Pancha, [email protected] Treasurer: Carol Stensness A big thank you [email protected] Advertising: Angela Moon-Jones Please support to our magazine [email protected] ISSN 2324-1993 (Print) sponsors. We couldn’t ISSN 2324-2000 (Online) our Sponsors Published by: Moths and Butterflies of New do it without you. 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/ Gubba nzbutterfliesandmoths/

Printed in New Zealand on Cocoon 100% recycled paper using vegetable-based inks 3 CERTIFICATION he latest habitat to be granted certification is the Waiheke hideaway of Sir Rob and T Jennie, Lady Fenwick. They are the latest owners to have their property certificated as being a great example of butterfly and moth habitat. Sir Rob is a business leader and environmentalist, one of three finalists for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year earlier this year and knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours recently. Their property, ‘Te Matuku Bay’ is 350 ha on a southern promontory of Waiheke Island, which has been tended with a great deal of planning and forethought. For instance, a pest plant woolly nightshade was left as an experiment to see if it would naturally die out by regenerating native forest. This experiment has generally been successful and the regenerating forest is thriving. After a long history of forest clearances, stock grazing and burning off most of the Te Matuku Bay catchment is now rapidly regenerating back to a natural state. However, the owners are not preoccupied just with native species: they are proud of the many swan plants and other exotics growing to make this a paradise for butterflies. And the tall stands of trees in the forest reserves encourage such wildlife and the natural heritage of encourage other businesspeople to place species as the puriri moth, while the New Zealand and Antarctica. Sir Rob environmental responsibility at the centre coastal vegetation is a great host for in particular has dedicated his life to of their decision-making process. Earlier coppers. According to botanist Ewen preserving the environment for current this year he was named as one of this Cameron Te Matuku Bay is a wonderful and future generations. year’s inductees into the New Zealand example of private individuals, a society A former journalist and public Business Hall of Fame. and the Crown working together to relations consultant, he co-founded We are proud to include Te Matuku achieve a marvellous outcome for Living Earth Ltd, the country’s largest Bay among the certificated properties. restoring biodiversity. municipal composting business. Much Could yours meet the criteria? Why not The Fenwicks are passionate about of the focus of his career has been to investigate this on our website now.

and lack livelihood options. and this coming summer, the Forest Thanks to The Body Shop works in other areas Ringlet Project. The lucky draw will be too: protection, environmental conducted in August – winners will be THE BODY SHOP protection and human rights. They say published in our e-news after the draw his beautiful butterfly, the common that it’s entirely down to the support, has been made, and the winners will Jezebel (Delias eucharis), comes enthusiasm and never-ending help they receive their gift cards in the mail. T from North India and other parts receive from their stakeholders that To receive the e-news, sign up here: of Asia. The butterfly can be found in the they’ve been able to fund the projects mb.org.nz/wp-login.php?action=register Sangla valley of North India, where The they have. Body Shop has been working And now The Body Shop with more with villagers to help them than 30 outlets around the country, has farm native plants and work recognised our work in habitat and on the conservation of species restoration in New Zealand native plants in the wild. and is helping by encouraging our The villages are directly existing and new members to renew benefiting through the their subscriptions by offering $50 gift cultivation of medicinal plants. cards to five lucky members who renew The area is rich in this flora but they their subscription before the end of July. are under increasing threat due to wild Remember that a good percentage harvesting and consequent loss of of your subscription goes towards our habitat. The local communities are poor projects such as educational displays, 4 Ghost Moths &PuririMoths Story by Kode Falena hroughout the world there is a diverse group of primitive moths T called the or ghost moths. The 60 families contain just under 600 currently recognised species. The 27 species of ghost moths in New Zealand are found on both islands, characterised by very short antennae and no functional proboscis. It has been some years since our columnist Brian Patrick discovered Heloxycanus patricki, in the Dansey Pass. This one is unique: it breeds only every second year. “It’s a beautiful sight - it’s a gorgeous species”, says Brian. He has since become aware that the moth is widespread, in moss bogs from sea level to alpine wetlands, but only in Otago-Southland. In the North Island, the pūriri moth ( virescens), our largest native moth, is also part of the ghost moth family. Its wings are mostly bright green and may span 15 centimetres in the females. In fact, they are so big they can sometimes be mistaken for bats! The Maori of the Hawkes Bay/ Wairarapa (Ngāti Kahungunu) tell a fascinating legend about the pūriri moth: An ancestor named Hinepeke (jumping woman) married Tūteahuru, a grandson of Tāne, god of the forest. From the match a vast number of and lizards were produced, some dwelling within the earth, on the land or stones, and some in the water. And one descendant was pepetuna or the pūriri moth. Because the adult moth flies at dusk and into the night, commonly regarded as the realm of spirits, 1 pepetuna was known as a spiritual females fly through the forest, dropping messenger, or ghost of an ancestor their eggs (up to 2,000) onto the leaf Matariki Message returning to visit his or her descendants. litter beneath them. Remember that they The caterpillars were used by the have no mouthparts, so they live only a Maori as bait with few days. He iti mokoroa e which to catch Eggs, like hinga pūriri. eels, thus giving little pale them their name yellow pearls, pepetuna (eel turn black a moth). The name few days later The little mokoroa could also allude and hatch grub can fell a to their being within a few eaten by migrating weeks. The pūriri tree. eels heading young larvae 2 for the ocean (anuhe or between September and January. mokoroa) feed for about three months Small things can Pūriri moths mostly emerge between in the forest leaf litter, generally under September to December. They are logs or dead wood or on fungi. They have a big impact nocturnal fliers and males in particular then move into their live tree host, are attracted to light. After mating gnawing into the trunks and burrowing 5 in and down in 7-shaped burrows. The caterpillar rests in the vertical shaft but climbs up to feed on living callus tissue around the entrance. The opening is hidden with a tough, fibrous, silken web which makes the entry point well camouflaged. Despite its name the caterpillars use a wide range of hardwoods as hosts, both indigenous and exotic. They are even found in poplars, eucalypts and fruit trees so can sometimes be considered a pest. As well, ruru (), kaka and robins and cats and rats fancy the larvae as food. While most people who have seen a pūriri moth will tell you that they are a bright green, the intensity of colour and wing patterning is variable. MBNZT member Clinton Care has documented golden and pink specimens, some brick- 3 red, almost scarlet, and there are even albinos. Female pūriri moths have a dark brown or black mottled pattern on the forewings and the hindwings are usually buff coloured. It is easy to tell a male from a female as the markings on the male’s forewings 5 moths are white and the are smaller, 1 A typically green puriri moth, photo by Tony usually only about 10 cm in diameter. Jewell People are amazed by the pūriri moth. 2 Heloxycanus patricki, photo Brian Patrick Imagine taking five years to develop… 3 Puriri burrows in a tree showing a new and then living for only two days. establishment burrow and on the right an 4 older burrow. Photograph thanks to Landcare. 4 Old puriri moth scar, thanks to Nicholas Martin. 5 Male puriri moth just emerged from its pupa and hanging to dry its wings. Photo by Nicholas A. Martin 6 Three different specimens, thanks to Clinton Care. 6 7 Yellow puriri moth, Tony Jewell

7 6 TheAT WTrustORK n 22 March the Annual General Meeting was held in Christchurch, along with ‘All About Butterflies’ Day – a Oseries of talks on different species and how everyone could best look after them, if not turn around the smaller numbers being seen each year. There was face painting, plants and items for sale, games for the children and a release of monarch butterflies. Thanks to Richard Rowe and other Christchurch members the day was a great success. On the serious side the minutes of the meeting are on our website. Early in May the secretary and treasurer participated in a Face painting at “All About Butterflies” and the very busy shop. (Photos Joan Fairhall) workshop at Tupare Gardens in New Plymouth. The gardens, owned by the Taranaki Regional Council, are on a hillside running down to river flats beside the Waiwhakaiho River and are beautifully landscaped and well maintained. The workshop was about attracting bees, birds and butterflies. Mitch Graham who shared excellent information about pollinators and the benefits of considering invertebrates when creating a garden. The MBNZT is excited about hosting and working with a senior conservation specialist from the charity Butterfly Conservation this summer. With Sir David Attenborough the president, this group’s members number with almost 29,000 and cover every corner of the British Isles. Steve Wheatley will be working with us to help reverse the decline of the beautiful forest ringlet, a butterfly only found in New Zealand and the only one of its kind. Over recent years it has disappeared from Northland, Auckland and Wellington, something about which we are extremely concerned. We will keep you posted via the magazine and our regular e-news.

Tupare: Children learning about bugs

Mitch Graham and the crowd. 7 Mesmerised by Monarchs By Lindsey Morgan

here’s a butterfly,” shouted need for community tagging and was an excited voice. The group keen for the students to become ‘citizen “Tgazed as the graceful wings scientists’ and be involved with the of a monarch, spread and glided on a programme. warm, summer thermal. During our lessons, students learned “Wait till you see what’s at the top,” I more than just the life cycle of a suggested. butterfly. We discussed the importance “Awesome,” I heard, as we rounded of them as pollinators, looked at the corner, “Wow! Look at all those overwintering and considered the monarch. She patiently encouraged monarchs.” reasons why monarch everyone to tag and record a butterfly. Students from the numbers were on the She shared her knowledge, gave tips House of Science, decline. We talked and presented facts to a mesmerised Tauranga were about the need for ensemble. It was an experience that the visiting The Butterfly data, in order that students at the House of Science will not Garden at Te Puna entomologists could forget. Quarry. The site study migration On the release of each tagged has been developed patterns. I also butterfly, Mary suggested that the child and maintained by taught the students made a wish. Then with a gently flap, community volunteers the skill of catching each student stood, transfixed as their since 1997. Among the butterflies without wish was carried away on the wings of beautiful wild flowers, damaging them their own majestic monarch. we were greeted by Mary Parkinson and how to attach a handful of cabbage practice tags using Back at Base whites, a native admiral paper models. At the House of Science, Tauranga, and a multitude of monarchs feeding on students have already asked, “When nectar rich blooms. There’s something about Mary will we hear if someone has found our While we were at the gardens, we butterflies?” Creating Curiosity met up with Mary Parkinson from the I would encourage any school or At the House of Science, we had been Trust. Surrounded by chrysalises and educational centre, where possible, to learning about the monarch as part hatchling monarchs, she emerged from start their own nectar-rich, wildflower of our Bugs and Botany Unit. When I the butterfly house and enthusiastically garden. Not only will it brighten up your researched the topic I used the Moths greeted the young scientists. grounds but consider the curiosity that and Butterflies of NZ Trust website. I Mary and I had arranged for the you could stimulate when the butterflies was interested to learn that there was a students to each tag a newly hatched pay you a visit.

This butterfly became very attached Olivia Hoggard enjoys the to Fletcher hands on experience Gillard. ‘Night Butterfly’ a collarette. 8

Delightful Written by Aster Green Dahlias here isn’t a street or road in New such as cactus-flowered and water lilies, Collarettes can grow into small bushes Zealand where you won’t find with new colour combinations every year. about 1 or 1.5 metres high. T beautiful, colourful dahlias in They are all great cut flowers too! Tree dahlias are stunning. I think they someone’s garden flowering from spring But if you want dahlias for your are my favourites – you can just let them to almost midwinter. Get the right ‘type’ butterflies the ones you need are where do their thing, apart from removing spent and you can have butterflies visiting butterflies can land on the flowers and flower heads to keep them flowering. your garden throughout the winter as the a central disc showing the reproductive One growing under pittosporums in my flowers provide a rich source of nectar. parts: the stigma, style and anther (and garden has reached for the stars… this The dahlia we love today all originate of course which is where there will be autumn I discovered a purple daisy- from a Mexican wildflower. In fact it pollen and nectar). shaped flower about 5 metres high, in the wasn’t so popular as a ‘flower’ in Mexico: Dahlias come from tubers even though very top of the pittosporum! the Aztecs grew the tubers as a food you’ll find them sometimes referred to as Mary at Te Puna Quarry Park Butterfly crop and used them to treat epilepsy ‘bulbs’ and in ‘bulb’ catalogues. If you Garden is confident about her single, while the long, hollow stems of the tree keep dead-heading the flower heads orange-coloured dahlias being loved by dahlia (Dahlia imperialis) were used as once the flowers have died back, you will monarchs. She buys and plants bedding water pipes. stimulate the plants to create more and types (annuals) each spring/summer but The Spaniards discovered the plant more flowers. also has some more dramatic favourites in the 1500’s. Later, plant designers in Single-flowering dahlias are some of such as Pooh. Pooh has orange-red Holland got their hands onto dahlias the oldest types with flowers similar to petals with a collar of gold and - and found it very easy to hybridise and a daisy or cosmos. Collarette dahlias coloured petal-like sepals. It has smaller improve, coming up with many new are similarly daisy-like but the petals flowers on tall stems, and is sure to stand forms, colours and variations. There are of the outer ring are flat with a ‘ruffled’ out in the border. now formal classifications for dahlias inner circle (collar) of a different colour. Dahlia Dannevirke 9 SO HOW DO YOU GET YOUR DAHLIAS? Gardening friends will be happy to share them, via tubers, cuttings or you could try seed (there’s nothing to lose). In autumn, collect the pointed seed containers (what’s left when the petals fall off at the end of flowering). Allow these to dry for a few months. Remove the seeds and place them on just damp paper towels, and cover with another paper towel. Roll the paper towel package up and put it into a plastic bag in the hot water cupboard. Four days later, check your seeds to see if there are any sprouting. Any that have their first two leaves, remove the seedling gently (it will have a long tap root – you may have to cut the paper around it) and gently place the germinated seed into a tray of potting mix. Return the remaining seeds/paper towel to the plastic bag and the hot water cupboard. Check a few days later and repeat the process. Place the tray of seedlings in a warm situation and plant them out when they get to about 10cm tall and the weather is warmer. Most people, however, plant tubers which they’ve bought. The new plants grow directly from the tubers, starting from the ‘eyes’. If you want to try cuttings or dividing a tuber, there are great instructional videos on the internet. Youtube has some practical and easily understood videos. Whatever you do, be aware that your tender dahlia shoots can be a magnet for slugs. Be ready with slug bait, and watch for them. Slugs and snails can do a lot of damage in no time at all, all while we’re tucked up in bed sleeping. You will just adore your dahlias and soon find friends will be keen to swap with you. Dahlia Pooh –photos thanks to Bellevue Boutique Dahlias. 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 10 A celebration of OURROCKY PLACES Story and photographs by Brian Patrick Christchurch

urprising to many people is the fact that New Zealand abounds Swith day-flying moths. These sun-loving moths represent many moth families but the geometrids or loopers are probably the most conspicuous and attractive. One of the larger genera of day- flying moths in NZ is the geometrid genus Dichromodes (Geometridae: Oenochominae). I recognise 21 species although just six are currently named and recognised, and many more are certain to be discovered in remote South Island valleys and mountain ranges. All are cryptic, well camouflaged in their natural habitat of rock or stony places. The larvae feed on lichens. From coastal cliffs, through valley-floor tors, bluffs and exposed rock to alpine fellfield, scree and bluffs, this group of moths has diversified across our diverse landscapes and long geological history. Reflecting the local geological history various species are found on greywacke, schist, limestone, volcanic and other rocks. Both adults and larvae of Dichromodes moths are extremely well camouflaged and difficult to locate when resting on Dichromodes new species from alpine zone on Kakanui Mountains lichen-encrusted rock surfaces, but the day-flying adults flying on the hottest with orange flecks species D. sphaeriata, species of the genus that is dressed days are a little easier to find if you co- making it the most common and in green. It is found together with D. ordinate your trip to their flight season. widespread species known. sphaeriata on volcanic rock bluffs within The centre of diversity for these cryptic The elegant D. gypsotis is also a Dunedin City, and shares its Central moths is the rocky region extending widespread species with populations Otago habitat with both D. simulans and from Otago to Marlborough with just known from coastal to montane areas D. ida. three species known from both the from western Southland through The dry montane valleys of eastern North Island and the extreme southern Otago’s schistose landscapes to North and Central Otago host two local South Island. Two of the North Island Canterbury. I have 81 records of the endemics in D. ida and D. simulans species are also the most widespread species, evenly balanced between both attractive, cryptic and abundantly with Dichromodes sphaeriata found adults and larvae. Both the larvae and distinct in their schist landscape where in eastern South Island rocky areas at adults are predominately green, the only their larvae feed on an abundance of low altitude, from just south of Dunedin to the southern North Island. D. niger complements it in being found only in western South Island alpine regions from eastern Fiordland to the alpine region of the central North Island between 770m and 1650m. The third North Island species is a new species that has been found commonly around the Wellington coastline since 2003, between December and April, on rock cliffs. I have 100 records (plus 36 more records Dichromodes simulans Dichromodes new species from Raggedy Ranget from Mount Hutt of its larvae) of the predominately grey 11 Between October and April in the landscape diversity. Moreover it is Central Otago’s Kawarau Gorge flies a celebration of our lichen diversity another distinct species that can be so beautifully exposed by the late very common in the overwhelming Dr David Galloway of Dunedin. rocky landscape with its adults Further research is sometimes seen feeding by day on required to both the pretty shrub Pimelea aridula. define this body of Another low-altitude undescribed moth diversity, their species inhabits similar ground from particular lichen Central Otago to the Mackenzie hostplants and Basin and flies over stony river its overall biogeography. terraces, rocky areas and bare In Otago on Mount Saint Bathans ground including saltpans with flying over black lichen-encrusted 1 abundant lichens such as in both rocks at 1560m another new Dichromodes gypsotis larvae on rock face the Cromwell Chafer Reserve and species was discovered in 2009 Pisa Saline Area near Cromwell. It epitomising the high diversity of lichens growing on rock from the valley- can be locally common but remains the Central Otago’s alpine region. floors to 1150m. Higher up on the high undescribed. Further south on Mount Prospect alpine tops of the Old Man, Carrick and Volcanic bluffs, scree and rocks another new species had been Lammermoor Ranges, Hector, Kakanui, on Banks Peninsula are home to a found to be locally common over Richardson, Dunstan and Garvie local endemic species Dichromodes boulderfield at 1760m in late Mountains, and South Rough Ridge cynica described in 1911 from January 2007. Both these new lives an undescribed species that is George Hudson’s material from discoveries are remarkable for similar to D. ida but lacks the orange Lyttelton. It is the the small size of the adult moths hindwings. It is found flying smallest of the known and the narrowness of their dark- over high alpine rocks species and abundant all over coloured wings. festooned with diverse the peninsula from sea-level While further north Mount Fyffe in lichens to 1950m. to the open rocky tops at the Seaward Kaikoura Range from But the altitude 750m, and has been found 1300-1350m has a very distinct new record for this genus is active between late July and species that flies low to the ground far higher with a short-winged February. One was even found in late December on rocky ridges. flightless female of a new species in the jaws of a spider on a rock Close by another four new species found by the Sweney’s on 18 February face, and they probably also fall have been discovered in 2005 on 1977 at 3050m on Malte Brun in the 2 victim to lizards inhabiting such Shingle Peak at 1250-1500m Mount Cook region. Understandably it places. in mid-January, another has not been recollected – not many Larvae of many of these species between Glenrae River moth-hunters venture that high! But have been found too. In all cases and Saint James they obviously should. Alpine tops hold they are extremely cryptic amongst Range from several other undescribed species, the rock lichen on which they feed. 440-1200m, many of which have been found in They pupate in rock crevices, yet another at recent years. Canterbury’s Mount Hutt hidden behind a curtain of silk Gore Bay in North and The Two Thumb Range provide mixed with lichen. Canterbury in dune habitat for a species known from four This genus of moths is a superb slacks, and lastly a collections between November and and remarkable example of distinct and attractive January between 1120-1450m. It is a speciation over time on NZ’s rocky species at Hell’s very attractive grey and orange species substrates reflecting closely our Gate, Wairau Gorge 3 and highly distinct. Further south dynamic geological history and at 900m in February. the Grampian Mountains of South Canterbury host a species at 1880m 1. Dichromodes niger from Lewis Pass; 2. Dichromodes ida from Alexandra discovered in 2007 by Brian Lyford. ; 3. Dichromodes gypsotis from Sutton Salt Lake.

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FREE, Full Colour, Plant Catalogue HUGE range of flowering Perennials & available at garden Shrubs ideal for attracting butterflies centres nationwide. to your garden. www.omniproducts.co.nz www.parvaplants.co.nz Email: [email protected] Ph: 03 349 4918 12 TOP SECRET On the case with Inspector Insector

Calling all Investigators, Inspector Insector needs your help INSECT INVESTIGATOR’S OATH to solve a puzzling insect mystery. I promise to serve and protect and treat as my equal every living thing on the planet – even the slimy slugs. I promise to put a stop to all the Take the Insect Investigator’s Oath thoughtless squashing of insects and spiders and to be loyal to Her Royal and help The Inspector to solve Highness the Queen Bee as I help Inspector Insector keep the world safe. This I swear to every insect and human, snail, slug and worm.

CASE FILE 3A doing all the damage will go in the draw to win a beautiful book from Scholastic. Report your findings to Inspector Insector at [email protected] before 31 June. Wanted: Good luck. Vegetable Villain BACKGROUND TO THE CASE: ister Billy Brown of 57 Stickle Street has reported some greasy little caterpillar has been chewing through the M stems of the plants in his vegetable garden. The culprit has been eating the base of the stems just above the ground which makes the tops of the plants fall over (see picture). The vegetables don’t grow as big as they should – if at all. Mister Brown’s vegetable garden is located in the lower South Island but he has heard from other gardeners in the North Island that they too have had vegetables damaged in the same way so the caterpillar you are looking to identify can be found all over New Zealand. WIN

REWARD OFFERED: Thanks to Scholastic New Zealand, Inspector Insector is able to offer a reward to three lucky Insect Investigators. All Insect Investigators who report the common name and the full Class; Order; Family Genus and species of the insect that is 13 Memories to TREASURE n the saddest possible day, a monarch butterfly came to Ocomfort Tim. Tim and his adored wife Rebecca, both high achievers with Down syndrome, had been friends as teenagers, flatmates in their 20s, fell in love, and married in 2012. A truly joyous day. But then Becky was diagnosed with cancer and despite a brave fight and best possible care, passed away in June 2014 – on Tim’s 35th birthday. Becky loved butterflies, and butterflies had played a huge role in helping Tim to work through this tragic time in his life. Within two hours of Becky’s death, when Tim was at his lowest, a last-of-the summer monarch butterfly emerged and came to Tim, stayed with him for more than an hour, then flew free and beautiful into the sunshine. It was such a strong and comforting image for Tim. Instead of flowers, family and friends Tim painted a butterfly for the end of Becky’s bed, made donations to the supported care which went with her on her final journey. provider Kotuku Trust and a pergola was built in the garden of Becky and Tim’s Te Atatu flat, the perfect place to have a pizza oven – and a butterfly-friendly garden. Jacqui Knight provided the garden plan, garden beds prepared, flowers planted, residents helped plant swan plants, and in February, when caterpillars and butterflies had established, the Trust held a Pergola Pizza Party for all the residents. A great success, and a great place for residents and butterflies. Becky’s Place is a place to gather and share, with joy and laughter and quiet reflection, a place for friends to be Jacqui Knight provided together. advice and swan plants

The Pergola Pizza Party (Tim and his dad foreground) The residents helped with the planting 14 The Trust At Work 2

t Auckland Museum’s Explorama in March displays on different Ascientific topics were of great interest. A highlight was a release of monarch butterflies in the Domain (photo lower right). Well done to the team of volunteers who set up and manned the display and answered questions, the team from St Kentigern College were fantastic – as they were at Eye on Nature in May. That latter event was in the Auckland Botanic Gardens and a fun game kept children of all ages entertained. The battle to identify some of NZ’s butterflies on a poster involved a water pistol filled with colourful gunk. (See photos at top and left) A new local project involves a sheltered glade in the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve which is host to monarch butterflies. With permission from the Whau Community Board, the area is being planted up to ensure that it provides what butterflies need – warmth and shelter – in the winter. EncouragE BuTTErFLIES into your garden Check out our BUTTERFLY BEAUTIES selection or choose from a variety of seeds that the butterflies will just love. Visit our website www.kingsseeds.co.nz

PO Box 283 Katikati 3166 Ph: 07 549 3409 • Fax: 07 549 3408 15 Did You Know? onarch caterpillars can be time- Caterpillars also have prolegs or wasters. They are fascinating to false legs. They are stumpy, peg-like Mwatch, especially in the last instar structures on the abdomen (the hind when the monarch has outgrown and region) and are used for walking and shed its skin four times and has grown attachment. They will not be present in into an eating machine. the adult butterfly. They are cylindrical This is an ideal time to study the and unsegmented. Each proleg has anatomy of a caterpillar or larva. crochets or microscopic hooks which act like suction cups to facilitate movement on and attachment to various surfaces such as leaves and branches. Think of Velcro! The anal prolegs or claspers are the hind-most leg-like structures on the caterpillar, used to attach to the silk How many legs does a caterpillar pad which the caterpillar spins at the have? It has three pairs of true legs beginning of the pupal stage. attached to the thorax. These will Melissa Duffy provided this photograph become part of the adult butterfly. (right) which clearly shows both the These thoracic legs are segmented and true legs (front) and prolegs. Note the have grasping hooks or claws on the crochets on the above photograph from end. These will stay with the caterpillar Holli Webb Hearn - it’s easy to see how throughout the pupal stage and become they hook into the silk that the caterpillar part of the adult butterfly. spins. 16

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