Description
Adult magpie moths have black and white wing markings with a black and yellow-orange striped body. They have a wingspan between 35 and 45 millimetres and are active during the day. Caterpillars are black and orange-red and are covered in long black hairs. Caterpillars grow between 35 and 38 millimetres long.
Common native plant hosts
| Scientific names | Māori/common names |
|---|---|
| Brachyglottis repanda | Rangiora, bushman’s friend, bushman’s toilet paper |
| Senecio spp. | Groundsel, fireweed |
Scientific names
Brachyglottis repanda
Māori/common names
Rangiora, bushman’s friend, bushman’s toilet paper
Scientific names
Senecio spp.
Māori/common names
Groundsel, fireweed
Symptoms and damage
- Caterpillars can cause leaf damage to rangiora, but damage is usually insignificant.
- Caterpillars are more likely to eat weed species in a nursery such as ragwort and groundsel.
Prevention and control tips
No control required as damage should be minimal.
Image details
Photo by Robyn Pope –Some rights reserved (CC BY NC)
Photo by Uwe Schneehagen –Some rights reserved (CC BY SA)