Description
Adult kōwhai moths range in colour from a red-brown to green. They are usually lightly patterned with a wingspan of about 27 millimetres. Caterpillars are bright green or yellow with black and white spots and will drop from the plants if they are disturbed.
Common native plant hosts
| Scientific names | Māori/common names |
|---|---|
| Sophora spp. | Kōwhai |
Scientific names
Sophora spp.
Māori/common names
Kōwhai
Symptoms and damage
Caterpillars feed on leaves and in large numbers can completely defoliate kōwhai seedlings and trees. They will also feed on tree lupin, broom and gorse. Healthy plants should recover quickly from their feeding, and permanent damage is unlikely. High populations of snails can also defoliate kōwhai seedlings, and their feeding sign could be mistaken for kōwhai moth caterpillars.
Prevention and control tips
- Healthy kōwhai are tolerant of defoliation and will recover quickly when pest populations decrease.
- For smaller nursery plants an insecticide application may be required if damage renders plants unsaleable
Image details
- Photo by Christopher Stephens – some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA)