A very easily recognised moth which was introduced into NZ from England in 1926 and released a few years later to control ragwort. Ragwort is poisonous - and livestock tend to eat it when food is in short supply.
Both the caterpillars and the adults have the bright colouration which advertises their distastefulness to predators.
Biostatus
Introduced
Host Plant
Ragwort
Egg
Spherical, yellow laid in clusters of 30-40 on the underside of ragwort leaves.
Larva
Black and yellow bands.
Pupa
Loose cocoons just below the soil surface or in moss or grass roots.
Adult/Imago
Red and dark grey forewings, hindwings red edged in dark grey.
Forewing length
15-20 mm
Range
Pastures, roadsides, waste places and coast. Auckland south.
