Pūriri moth caterpillars drill tunnels – shaped like the figure 7 – into young pūriri trees. They also attack other native and introduced trees. The caterpillar lives in the tunnel for five to seven years, eating the fresh bark and callus tissue around its entry hole, before emerging as a winged adult. With a wingspan of 10 centimetres, male pūriri moths are slightly smaller than females. The moths do not feed and live only a few days.
Using this item
Department of Conservation
Reference:
10032175
Photograph by Rod Morris
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