Kia ora, ko Greer tōku ingoa.
For my PhD at Otago University I am researching admiral butterflies in NZ: kahukura (NZ red admiral), Rēkohu kahukura subspecies (Chatham Island red admiral), and kahukōwhai (yellow admiral).
I’ve been gathering parasitisation data in Ōtepoti (Dunedin) and the result from last year was concerning, with a 94.4% (68/72) wasp parasitisation rate of chrysalises!
Parasitisation data across the country would be so valuable. Can you help me with this project?
The aim is to create a map of parasitisation rates across different nettle species and nationwide. This data is important for conservation and funding for research in the future to focus on developing ways to get rid of the introduced wasps that attack our beautiful native butterflies. None of these wasps can hurt people so it’s also a fun activity and important citizen science project.
I work hard to prevent parasitisation in my admiral chrysalisses, by protecting them in my castles. It sometimes fails. I am not sure I could usefully contribute to your research.
Kia ora Tejo, that is great to hear you are trying to help protect them from parasitism. But yes you are correct, if you are doing anything to limit/stop wasps from getting to them, then you won't be able to help out with this project as it requires them to be exposed to parasites that may be present.
Hi from Christchurch, we have had the paper wasps, German wasps and the one shown all attacking the chrysalis of our monarchs and although the plant is mainly covered they still get in and also find the ones on the house.
Kia ora Greer,
I am interested in your project. I live in Mosgiel and it maybe that you don't need any more from your own home range. We don't have any nettles in our garden, but we have seen quite a few Admirals (red) around the Budleja davidii.
Could you tell me a little more about where they like to pupate?
Kia ora John,
That is great to hear, yes data from anywhere is useful, so please take part if you wish. Yes the adults love feeding on Buddleja plants. They eat nettle (Urtica species) plants as caterpillars and also pupate on the nettle plants, often within leaf tents they make. This is explained better with pictures in the attached document to this article, which you can find if you click the red writing that says 'parasitism project' below the article.
Hi, not sure if this is any use at all, I have NO admiral caterpillars outside that survive due to wasps which fly in and out of the nettles, also praying mantis. So I can't leave them to nature. As soon as I find any eggs from the admirals (mostly yellow in North Auckland), I have to keep them in an enclosure until they become butterflies and then let them go.
Whereabouts are you, Lisa? We have several people participating in the Red Admiral Project over the North Shore and further north - would love to have you engaged in the Red Admiral Project with us. If you're keen please email me, .
haven't seen admirals this year even tho lots of nettle plants in my weedy garden . In the past several red and yellow in my south dunedin garden. and years ago they invaded the glasshouse with many admirals. some became nettle and potato soup ! until I realised there were caterpillar s
on the nettles.
It is 5 or 6 years since I have had Red or Yellow Admirals breeding successfully on a patch of nettles in my Whangarei garden. The caterpillars are parasitized by paper wasps and any that reach pupation are probably infested by ichneumon flies as I've seen the telltale hole in pupae in the past. I still see the very occasional yellow admiral on the wing in my garden but not the earlier stages.
I live in Hamilton. Is your study relevent up here?
Kia ora Barry,
Yes this study is relevant to the whole country and surrounding island including the chathams. Please take a look at he methods document attached to the bottom of the article to see more about how you can take part.