New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera)Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Science
New Zealand Moths and Butterflies (Macro-Lepidoptera)
Hudson, G. V. (George Vernon)
Lepidoptera -- New Zealand
The food-plants of this species are numerous. The following are a few of
them: Manuka (_Leptospermum scoparium_ and _ericoides_, _Cupressus
macrocarpa_, _Pinus insignis_), and various species of willow, &c. These,
it will be observed, include several introduced trees. In fact, the insect
is a very general feeder. About three days after leaving the egg, the
little caterpillar constructs a minute, conical-shaped, silken case, which
it carries almost in an upright position on its posterior segments. Later
on in life this case becomes too heavy to be held vertically, and is
afterwards dragged along by the larva, and often allowed to hang downwards.
The case has two apertures--a large one in front, through which the head of
the larva is projected, and a smaller one at the posterior extremity, which
allows the pellets of excrement to fall out of the case, as soon as they
are evacuated.
Owing to the apterous and completely helpless condition of the female
imago, it is evident that the dispersal of this insect must take place in
the larval state. Distribution is of course quite impossible without a
female being transported in some way, and from observations made on a good
many larvæ of various ages, I am disposed to think that the migration of
this insect to new localities takes place at an early age, possibly soon
after its emergence from the egg. On this account I think that the
occurrence of the moth in both North and South Islands is of great
interest, as it would seem to indicate the existence of some connection
between the two islands, at a period not sufficiently remote to have
allowed any appreciable modification to take place in the insect's
structure and habits. At the same time, it should be borne in mind, that
the protection afforded the larva by its case, and its ability to feed on
so many different plants, may have rendered any modification unnecessary
for the preservation of the species during recent times. The length of the
full-grown caterpillar is about 1 inch. The head is dull yellow speckled
with black. The first three segments are very hard, dark brown, with
numerous white markings. The remaining segments are considerably thickened
near the middle of the insect, rudimentary prolegs being present on the
seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth segments of the larva. The anal prolegs
are very strong, and are furnished with numerous sharp hooklets, which
retain the larva very firmly in its case. As the caterpillar grows, it
increases the length of its domicile from the anterior, causing it
gradually to assume a more tubular form, tapering towards the posterior
aperture, which is enlarged from time to time. The outside is covered with
numerous fragmentary leaves and twigs of various sizes, placed
longitudinally on the case, and, frequently, near the anterior aperture the
materials, owing to their recent selection, are fresh and green. The
interior is lined with soft, smooth silk of a light brown colour, the
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