TARANAKI'S own moth, Notoreas 'Taranaki', is flying again. The rare amber and black moth is found only on the coasts of South Taranaki and north-west Nelson and emerges just twice a year.
Department of Conservation (DOC) staff have been busy surveying the moths' habitat and the Pimelea prostrata, which is the
only plant the moth caterpillars feed on.
The day flying moth is known from just six sites in Taranaki from Manaia to Opunake, and is confined to coastal cliff areas where the Pimelea grows. These herbfield sites are under threat from trampling, grazing, erosion and invasion by exotic weeds and pasture grasses.
The moth emerges just twice a year from September to November/December and again from February to April. DOC rangers surveying the Pimelea have been lucky to see several moths basking in the sunshine.
"The Notoreas moth is regarded as a chronically threatened species in serious decline, so to see them in the wild is a pretty special thing," said DOC biodiversity assets ranger, Jack Mace.
DOC staff are working with landowners and councils to improve the existing habitat of the moth by discouraging grazing of the moths' habitat and encouraging the growth of Pimelea.
If you live near the South Taranaki coast, planting the Pimelea prostrata var urvilleana may help the survival of the species. Sightings of the moth can be reported to DOC in Stratford (765 5144) with details including location, date, time of day and weather conditions at the time. Please do not collect the moths.
