It’s not just Tawa’s 10 reserves that make up our natural environment – our conservation activities in our own home micro-reserves can also make a big difference What’s happening at your place? We’d love to share information on your activities – please send your contributions to newsletter@tawabush.org.nz Ongaonga, or native stinging nettle, is the onlyContinue reading “Your Place”
Category Archives: Butterflies and Moths
Help Save the Endangered Native Red Admiral Butterfly
Gary Beecroft article Header Photograph by permission from Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust Red admirals were common in New Zealand until the 1930’s. Now they have disappeared from many parts of New Zealand and are rare in others. Why? – Because……. The Red Admiral caterpillar’s food source is the native Ongaonga nettle shrub (PhotographContinue reading “Help Save the Endangered Native Red Admiral Butterfly”
Puriri moths – an extreme life cycle
Pūriri moths (Aenetus virescens or pepe tuna) are New Zealand’s largest endemic flying moth. Larvae hatch on the bush floor and feed on fungi. Then they climb tree trunks such as pūriri (hence their name) and burrow into the trunk where they live for several years. Pūriri trees only have a northern distribution in the North Island.Continue reading “Puriri moths – an extreme life cycle”
Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves 