Introduced from England in 1926 to control ragwort, which is poisonous to livestock.
Family
Erebidae
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
Bright red and dark grey forewings, hindwings red edged in dark grey. Flies in daytime.
Forewing Length
30mm
Overwinters
Larvae pupate underground over winter.
Range
Found in many parts of New Zealand countryside, including the lower North Island and many areas of the upper South Island.
Habitat
Anywhere that ragwort and other Senecio plants are growing.
