Is Puriri moth native to NZ?
The pūriri moth (Aenetus virescens), also commonly called the ghost moth or pepetuna, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae. This moth is endemic to the North Island of New Zealand.
What is the biggest moth in New Zealand?
green püriri moth
Aenetus virescens The bright green püriri moth is New Zealand’s largest moth with a wingspan of up to 15 cm. It is found only in the North Island. The moth, which does not have any mouthparts and therefore cannot eat, dies after about two days. It is active only during dusk and night when it must mate and lay eggs.
How long do moths live NZ?
They don’t have long, because the lifespan of adult moths is short – usually only a week or two! Once they lay their eggs, the adults die, and the cycle begins again.
Are there moths in NZ?
New Zealand species There are about 2,000 types of native New Zealand butterflies and moths. More than 90% are found nowhere else – this is the highest proportion of unique butterflies and moths in the world.
Are puriri moths rare?
3 – Female puriri moth above, male below. The wingspan of the female can be as great as 15cm. Moths may be found throughout the year, but are rare in winter and most abundant in September and November. They are nocturnal and males in particular are attracted to light.
How long does a Puriri tree live?
2000 years
Puriri can live as long as 2000 years, longer than Kauri and are fire resistant so tend to survive where Kauri may not. Puriri trunks often have large knobbly protrusions on them. Puriri trees grow up to 20m with a broad spreading crown.
Does a Puriri moth have a mouth?
Pūriri Moths cannot eat as they have no mouths and live for only around 48 hours. During this short time the male and female moths find each other and mate, starting the cycle all over again. Pūriri Moths need areas with plenty of dead wood to provide the fungi the caterpillars need in their first stage of life.
What food do moths like?
Their favorite foods include any grain products such as flour, cereal, cornmeal, rice and nuts, but they will also infest birdseed, pet food, dried pasta and dried fruit.
What does a Puriri moth eat?
The caterpillar of the puriri moth bores a 7-shaped hole (Fig. 1) in the growing trunks and branches of host plants and feeds on the callus tissue at the opening of the hole. The puriri moth may be found in a wide range of indigenous and exotic hardwoods (Grehan 1984).
What is the largest moth in the world?
One of the goliaths of the insect world, the atlas moth is a gentle giant – but behind every oversized moth is a very hungry caterpillar. The atlas moth is among the biggest insects on the planet, with a wingspan stretching up to 27 centimetres across – that’s wider than a human handspan.
Where does puriri grow?
New Zealand
Puriri is a coastal and lowland tree, found from the far north to about latitude 39° 30′ – Opunaki on the west coast and Mahia Peninsula on the east. It is common on volcanic and similar soils and more scattered elsewhere. Puriri is the only member of the genus Vitex in New Zealand.