Forgotten species
Kawakawa looper Visitors to our native forests will often see holes in leaves of kawakawa, Piper excelsum. Holes in leaves that are webbed together are made by one of several species of leafroller caterpillars (Tortricidae). However, most of the holes are made by caterpillars of the kawakawa looper, Cleora scriptaria (Walker, 1860). If you look on the underside of young kawakawa leaves you may see small green looper caterpillars. Sometimes they are seen dangling down from a leaf, suspended on a silk thread. Older caterpillars are green or brown, often with long white stripes. They hide away during the day. At night they loop their way
2mm “Looping” is faster than crawling: small caterpillar of Kawakawa looper.
up the plant stems and feed on young leaves. Take a torch and look for them once it becomes dark. The caterpillars are typical loopers with three pairs of true legs near the head and two pairs of false legs (prolegs) at the rear end. Looping is faster than crawling. When the caterpillars are fully grown they make a chamber in the litter used for pupation. The adult moth pushes itself out of the pupal case and climbs onto a plant or stick where it hangs and pumps up its wings. When the wings are hard and dry, it can fly. The moths are triangular shaped and mottled shades of brown. The colouring is similar to other species found in the forest and identification of this moth requires practice. Kawakawa looper caterpillars also feed on leaves of other trees and shrubs. A list of known host plants is at http://plant-synz.landcareresearch. co.nz/SearchForm.aspx.
5mm
Kawakawa looper, Cleora scriptaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). The holes are made by caterpillar feeding. All photos: Tim Holmes
n Nicholas Martin
10mm
Tai Haruru Lodge
LODGES Arethusa Cottage Near Pukenui, Northland Sleeps 6 herbit@xtra.co.nz 09 405 1720
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Mangarākau Swamp Field Centre North-west Nelson Sleeps 10 javn@xtra.co.nz 03 525 6031
Piha, West Auckland Sleeps 6 hop0018@slingshot.co.nz 09 812 8064
Waiheke Island Cottage Onetangi Sleeps 8 fb.cottage.onetangi@gmail.com
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Matiu/Somes Island house Wellington Harbour Sleeps 8 wellingtonvc@doc.govt.nz 04 384 7770
Tautuku Forest Cabins Ōwaka, Otago Sleeps 16 diana-keith@yrless.co.nz 03 415 8024
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