Notching by caterpillars of cabbage tree moth in leaves of cabbage tree. Image: Nicholas A. Martin © Plant & Food Research
- Pūtoi
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Whānau
- Family
- Geometridae
Te Rahi
- E 40 mm te whānui mai i te pito o tētahi parirau ki tētahi, ka whakangā ana.
Size range
- Wingspan of moth when at rest 40 mm
Te Tītaringa
- He momo māori, kitea ai e noho ana ki ngā momo tī katoa.
Distribution
- Native, found throughout the range of cabbage trees
Te Huringa Ora
- Me kōrero tana kiri hunahuna – e rite pū ana ki te āhua o ngā rau mate o te tī.
- Kai ai ngā anuhe i ngā rau pūhou o te tī (Cordyline australis) kāore anō i whewhera mai.
- Kai ai ngā anuhe i te pō. Ko te mahuetanga iho, he kōhao, he kāniwha kei ngā rau i te whewheratanga mai.
- Ka huri ngā anuhe hei ngeti i ngā otaota i te pūtake o te rākau.
Life history
- Perfectly camouflaged on dead cabbage tree leaves
- Caterpillars feed on the young unopened leaves of cabbage tree (Cordyline australis)
- Nocturnal feeding activity leaves holes and notches in the expanding leaves
- Caterpillars pupate amongst debris at base of tree trunk
He pārongo atu anō
Further information
Gallery
