White admiral butterflies set to wage war on weeds
A Japanese butterfly species has been released in Taranaki, but don’t be fooled by its good looks – it has a very important job to do.
Taranaki Regional Council environment officers released about 100 honshu white admiral (Limenitis glorifica) pupae at Oa¯kura and another 100 at Kakaramea in late December to control Japanese honeysuckle, an invasive weed that smothers and strangles native bush.
Most of the pupae had successfully hatched by the time the officers returned a week later.
TRC environment services manager Steve Ellis said the honshu white admiral was one of several biocontrol agents the regional council had released to control weeds.
Agents may be used when a weed had become widespread and traditional chemical control was not practical, he said.
The butterfly was first imported from Japan in 2010 by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research as a biocontrol agent.
It attacks Japanese honeysuckle and has been released in other parts of the country since 2014, following a period of containment and testing.
Although the adult butterflies only live for about a month, the females will lay hundreds of eggs in that time.
The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the Japanese honeysuckle, damaging the foliage.
When present in large numbers they can defoliate plants.
It is hoped that in the longer term they will help reduce the weed’s growth around the region.
TRC is keen to hear from anyone who spots a honshu white admiral in Taranaki, to help track how far they spread.
Adults are black with white markings on the top of their wings. When drying their wings, the underside appears orange. Their wingspan is about 60mm.
Anyone who sees a honshu white admiral should call TRC 0800 736 22 and ask for a biosecurity environment officer or register the sighting at iNaturalist.nz.