Ghost (Puriri) Moth

Hole left by a Ghost Moth caterpillar

We have all seen the holes in the willows that the Tree Weta live in but did you know that the holes are what is left behind from the Ghost Moth Aenetus virescens caterpillar? If you did know did you know that the Ghost Moth is alive and well breeding in Mangaiti Gully?
Some interesting facts from; “Common Insects in NZ, by David Millar 1971”, the Ghost Moth is the largest native winged insect with a wing spread reaching 150mm (6”). The moths used to appear in great swarms but with the clearing of their habitat, numbers have greatly reduced. The Morepork favour them as a food source.
The caterpillar bores into the growing limbs of a number of trees, which includes our Grey Willows, covering the entrance hole with a fine silken camouflaged web. The caterpillar stage lasts for three years before emerging as a moth during September to November.

A covered entrance hole with a fine
silken camouflaged web

It is interesting to observe what native fauna is already living in restoration areas before major change to the flora mix is attempted. If we had removed all the willows when we first started, as was suggested by a number of informed restoration people, then a very large habitat of the native Ghost Month would have been removed. It would have taken ten to fifteen years for replacement trees to be big enough. The Ghost Moth may well have, at worst, become extinct in our gully or, at best, left with a seriously depleted population.
Ghost month caterpillar bore the holes which pupa to moths that feed the Moreporks. The holes left behind are a shelter for Weta. Weta are also a food source for Morepork.