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This is the caterpillar of the kūmara moth, the anuhe. In one tradition the kūmara was stolen from Whānui (the star Vega), who sent down the anuhe to plague kūmara crops as punishment for its theft. Gardeners would often tame seagulls to sit in the plantations and eat the caterpillars, or would light fires to smoke them out.
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Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua
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