First appeared in NZ in Whanganui, 1915. The larvae are very colourful, being green with brightly coloured red, blue or purple tubercles in rows of six per segment. They grow to about 12cm long.
Family
Saturniidae
Biostatus
Adventive
Host Plant
Mainly eucalypts, pepper tree, plane tree. Also birch, liquidamber, etc.
Egg
Laid in small clusters on host leaves.
Larva
12cm long, green with bright (red, blue or purple) tubercles in rows of 6 per segment. Feeds on leaves.
Pupa
Pupates in tough egg-shaped brown silk cocoon on host branch or trunk
Adult/Imago
'Eye-spots' on wings thought to deter bird predators. Male has longer, thinner forewings than female, with hooked tip. Male also has feathery antennae. October to March. Rests on walls, fences, tree trunks by day. Attracted to light at night.
Forewing Length
50 - 67mm
Range
North Island, north of the South Island
Habitat
Parks, gardens, cities.