CONTENTSOur Appeal

page 1

Overwintering Reportspage 1

New Trustee: Louise Carrollpage 2

Admiral Documentarypage 2

Admirals in Earnestpage 2

Calendarspage 2

Colouring Contestpage 2

Wilderness Wasteland Development

page 3

Butterfly Diseases

page 4

Waspspage 5

Tagging Monarchspage 6

Large White Butterflypage 6

Legal Advisorpage 6

Caterpillar Castlespage 6

Kawhia Creationpage 7

EcoFest, Nelson

page 7

Phoenix Preschool, Ashburton

page 8

Fundraiser : stickerspage 8

Kapiti Butterfliespage 8

Alex Giblinpage 9

Starting Youngpage 9

Case Moth and Wasppage 9

A tiny egg upon a leafpage 10

Book Review: ‘Managing Pests and Diseases for New Zealand

Gardeners’page 11

Book Review: Nana Helen and the ’mazing Monarch Butterfly

page 11

Incentives to Renewpage 12

Owner Wanted: $$$page 12

PO Box 44100, Pt Chevalier, Auckland,1246 www.monarch.org.nzCOPYRIGHT © 2008 MONARCH BUTTERFLY NZ TRUST, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Winter 2011

The Importance of Supporting the Monarch Butterfly NZ TrustWhy do we, or more importantly, why do our butterflies and moths need your support?The Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust is the only independent voice in this country raising awareness and offering education so we can ensure butterfly and moth populations are maintained through to the next century.What would our lives be like without butterflies and moths? Simply put:

Pollination rates of plants; fruits and vegetables would dramatically drop as would the amount of nutrients available for a wide range of species including humans and our avian fellow creatures;we would lose the essential beauty of these unique creatures lifting our spirits as we watch them soar;and population control of noxious weeds such as ragwort would disappear if particular species of butterflies and moths were no longer viable.

How can you support the trust?It’s exciting times here at the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust because we are taking the next big step to establish a display classroom and garden, with the aim of inviting schools and other interested parties to visit and learn all about butterflies and moths and their habitat(s). It is essential that the next generation of New Zealanders learns to value our Lepidoptera.To establish this exciting initiative we need to raise $70,000 in the 2011/2012 yearWe have some very exciting plans and ideas but, to kick off this appeal we need you to support us by making: A one-off donation that can be:o paid by cheque to PO Box 44100, Pt Chevalier, Auckland 1246o credited to our bank account, or a direct credit to our bank account which could be monthly, quarterly or annuallyAll of this can be achieved by clicking the donate button on www.monarch.org.nz.Other ways to help: Can you introduce us to potential corporate partners? Can you introduce our excellent cause to major gift donors?Remember that we are a registered charitable trust, and donations are tax deductible!There is more information on the subscription renewal/invitation that comes with this newsletter but if you have other questions you can email trustees@monarch.org.nz or phone 09 551 3383, or write to us at the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust, PO Box 44100, Pt Chevalier, Auckland 1246.We look forward to your ideas and support. Many thanks. the Trustees

Reports are coming in to the website of various overwintering colonies of Monarchs. These were seen at Te Omanga Hospice, Hutt Valley. Photos taken

by George Gibbs

2 − Winter 2011

New Trustee: Louise CarrollWe welcome Louise Carroll, QSO, as trustee of the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust.Louise is CEO at the National Foundation for the Deaf Inc in Auckland where she manages a specialist team delivering support; education; information and advocacy for people who are hearing impaired. As well, Louise manages the implementation of hearing loss prevention projects – currently placing safe sound indicators in early childcare centres nationwide to protect the hearing of our vulnerable pre-school kids. Previously Louise managed Philanthropy Services of the NZ Guardian Trust.In 2009 she graduated with a Masters Degree, Public Administration (Management major) and is now working on her PhD majoring in Marginalisation. In her spare time Louise enjoys family, especially her granddaughter, walking her dogs on beaches and favours her butterfly garden. Welcome, Louise, we will benefit from your experience and expertise. Louise can be contacted at louise@monarch.org.nz.

Colouring ContestNo. 15 was a clear winner with 45% of the 22 votes, and the name is... (drum roll please) Abbey Simcock, age 6, from Tauriko in Tauranga. Well done Abbey! Another contest has now started – read about it on the website.

CalendarsOnce again we are producing calendars (for 2012) as a fundraiser for the MBNZT – and to publicise the beautiful butterflies and moths that can be found in this country.Please place your order with us now, $20 each P&P incl. The 2011 calendar can be found on our website as an example. They are A4, a month to a page, and each page has a photograph of one of our more colourful species.

Admirals in EarnestAngela Gibbons featured on a recent episode of Animal Academy (TV7) raising Admirals. She is having outstanding success in her work. Good on you, Ange!This Red Admiral enjoys nectar from swan plant flowers at the Beesley’s (photo: Charlotte Beesley)

Admiral DocumentaryKim Maree is an Auckland student and has recently finished a ten minute documentary about urban ecology using Admiral butterflies as a case study.“My main interview was Radio Live magazine show host Graeme Hill,” she told us. “He talked about the radio campaign he did a few years ago when free nettle seed was distributed.”Kim’s video is available on YouTube for all to see:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76L8XjDKZrM

3 − Winter 2011

Wildernesss Wasteland DevelopmentBehind our place runs a railway line and yards, and between our place and the lines is an area of about 2000 square metres. It comprises a steep bank and a ditch; it hasn’t been too difficult to develop this area into a space for butterflies, native birds and skinks. When we first moved in we couldn’t even open the gate onto this wilderness, and little habitat was afforded to native species apart from the occasional pukeko, some finches when the grasses seeded, and a kingfisher who appeared occasionally on the railway overhead wires to view the contents of the ditch. This was a good start though so we knocked down most of the rubbishy grass and threw many wildflower seeds around. (The MBNZT sells it.) Slowly but surely, up sprung poppies in many forms, cornflowers, evening primroses, coreopsis, cosmos, larkspur and a few other annual wildlings. We let it all seed down and made the effort to keep the grasses down a couple of times a year. Next came more packets of wildflower seed and more clearing and sowing. I can’t pretend it hasn’t been a lot of work, but we don’t feel we need to be prim and fussy as we are within our own gates. We took away all the years of dumped dog poo, tins, bottles and garbage, plastic, and old real estate signs blown in from afar. Any bulbs spare from the garden, out-of-date vegetable seeds, cuttings of shrubs and perennials, dahlia tubers, whole pumpkins and sunflower heads, and swans from the swan plants were unceremoniously hurled out the gate and scattered about. Next came the cuttings of buddleias, tree dahlias, and plantings of native bird-attracting plants for berries, nectar, shelter. Rata, kahikatea, manuka, rewarewa, corokia, poroporo, coprosmas in their variety, kowhai, ngaio, cabbage trees, muehlenbeckia for the coppers and anything else we could propagate, scrounge, or buy cheaply went in on the top bank where we could keep an eye on them. The area hasn’t cost us much in terms of dollars, but there is some commitment in terms of a bit of time. The results are very rewarding, and we have noticed that the railway workers who toil in the shunting yards began to toot the horns at us and wave – especially when the 200 plus giant sunflowers came out! There are now three kingfishers, loads of skinks (dodging the chooks), and butterflies and moths in great variety. I noticed that swan plants had come

up in little groves where the swans had been thrown, so a little attention to keeping them clear of climbing weeds is paying off. Bit by bit and with some continued clearing and occasional weeding, and the much appreciated help from our little flock of free-ranging chooks, we now have visiting red admirals, yellow admirals, monarchs, common coppers, magpie moths, and one tui. We didn’t have a great plan, but just made a start and got carried away. When we are stressed and too busy to cope, the area can tolerate being ignored, BUT also offers a fabulously untidy de-stress area to potter about in. I would recommend that as many of you as possible adopt an area small or large and give it a go. The world’s little creatures (and maybe a few railway workers) will love you for it! The photos were taken when the first of the sunflowers began to open February-March.

Jane

4 − Winter 2011

Butterfly DiseasesAs many of you will be aware in the forum on our website there are often calls for help from people raising Monarchs about dead or sick butterflies. As the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust is a member of the US-based Association for Butterflies, two of our members recently took their on-line course on ‘Diseases in Lepidoptera’. The AFB’s material was prepared by leading butterfly farmers and with input from scientists such as insect pathologists, and is very thorough.It is worthwhile to point out, however, that conditions in North America differ greatly to NZ. Firstly, most of us raise only monarch butterflies – and some people are moving more and more into raising Admirals whereas there are many different species which can be raised in North America. There are also over 60 states/provinces/territories making up North America each with their own laws and requirements. There are restrictions on releasing butterflies in different areas, and there are organisations lobbying hard against any butterfly ‘farming’, so it is in the best interests for those people raising butterflies to observe strict sanitation and controls.One thing that is consistent worldwide is that diseases are a fact of life: they are Nature’s way of controlling the size of a colony or species. In a garden (or natural situation) most people are totally unaware of diseases or pests until they become out of balance, i.e. a problem. Obviously if you are raising a species in isolation (whether it is beef cattle, birds or butterflies), and especially when your livelihood might depend on it, you need to be much more aware of potential problems. Just like the effects of predators and parasites, diseases can be extremely devastating where colonies are managed. In a natural situation there are less likely to be oversized colonies and so any pest finds it harder to take hold.The word ‘disease’ means the departure from a state of health or normality. Diseases also can be abiotic in origin,

that is non-living – causing mechanical damage, or lack of proper nutrition, toxicity etc. An example is a ‘hole’ in a chrysalis which may not be serious until bacterial infection enters the wound.We can all learn from successful butterfly-farmers in the way they manage their tools, using healthy breeding stock, a standard operating procedure for consistency, keeping a journal of each day’s happenings and observations. They must ensure they have enough healthy food plants for sustainability of their population, and that the food, as well as the rearing facilities, are meticulously clean if not sterile. The staff use gloves when handling anything in their facilities and ensure that hands are sanitised.They know how to recognise the signs and symptoms of disease, how to identify and eradicate it. Butterfly-farmers have proper rearing containers; they keep numbers in each container low and keep rearing containers free from a build-up of frass. All of these techniques are useful to incorporate in a NZ situation. If you try and keep too many monarch larvae with not enough milkweed for them to complete their life cycle, you are courting disaster.It is important to recognise healthy larvae and pupae: their appearance, habits and activity, the amount they eat, and even the scent associated with healthy food and frass so you can recognise an abnormal situation. For instance, when milkweed such as swan plant is lacking in water it can become toxic to larvae and they will avoid it if they can – but this can often be detected by the overpowering smell of the leaves.Some of the signs of disease are an abnormal odour or behaviour, or a caterpillar that doesn’t move or seem to be eating. A change in colour can also be an indicator: with monarchs they can go dull or cloudy. Admirals are more difficult to judge as there is a wide variety of colours with both red and yellow admiral larvae.Both monarchs and admirals moult four times during the larval stage (the fifth time is when they become a chrysalis). Moulting larvae will not eat for about 24 hours.

A freshly formed Admiral pupa being attacked by Pteromalus puparium wasps. This wasp was introduced to kill white butterfly pupae but sadly they also attack other butterflies.

Photo: Anna Barnett

What caused this Monarch to be terribly deformed? No chance of this one flying away – it could be any combination of natural or man-made problems.

Photo: Laura

5 − Winter 2011

Frass (caterpillar poo) is typically formed in pellets. If it becomes runny or liquid (diarrhoea) the caterpillar has more than likely eaten a leaf sprayed with insecticide or has contracted a disease. Diarrhoea can also be caused by old food or toxicity, whereas bright green frass can also be a sign of insecticide use. If monarchs ‘spit’ bright green fluid it can be a sign that they’ve been over-stimulated by contact.Whether they’re viral, protozoan, bacterial, fungal or caused by something else, diseases can kill and weaken caterpillars. Pathogens can be latent for many years, unobserved, and never cause a problem until... physical stress causes them to become active. The resultant disease can destroy your colony!In the next issue we will cover some specific diseases – but the key points to remember are cleanliness and no overcrowding.

JK - (to be continued)

Sometimes they don’t help themselves... This Monarch made its chrysalis on a dead snail on a downpipe.

Photo: Alison Forster

WaspsGraeme Ramsay is a retired entomologist, and writes about the impact of wasps in his neighbourhood of West Auckland.For wasps this has been a great season in the west here, for us, a particularly bad one which means a bad one for the ecosystem/environment also. Unfortunately we have no way of assessing the total impact of wasps on the ecosystem but it will undoubtedly be detrimental. Even now, in May, wasps are still abundant and out seeking whatever prey they can find. Their impact on the local environment/ecosystem must be substantial and is largely unnoticed and unappreciated. I took a photograph of numerous wasps trapped within the cover of an exterior fluorescent light tube in Green Bay. It is unusual for wasps to be attracted to a light in such numbers as they are not nocturnal. This seems to occur only when they are disturbed after dark.There are five species of social wasps established in NZ, none deliberately introduced. It is obviously impossible for our quarantine service to prevent the entry of such insects if they are blown over the Tasman from Australia or particularly good at avoiding detection. Our native indigenous invertebrate/insect fauna has evolved over the millenia in the absence of such predators as these vespid wasps and so has not evolved defence mechanisms to withstand their depredations. Unfortunately the introduced species themselves have arrived here without the predators and pathogens which are their natural controls. One of these a tiny wasp has been deliberately released here in an attempt at biological control as a method to deal with them. It has actually established at two sites but so far has not significantly reduced wasp numbers. Several other biological control agents such as fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens may be effective and are being investigated. Successful biological control of wasps would be a great boon for the environment. Limited local control can be achieved with the use of insecticides such as Permex Insect Dust, Wasp Killer Squeeze Duster and Rentokil Wasp Killer. Wasp numbers can also be reduced by destroying their nests but the difficulty with this is locating the nests. This is best done by observing wasps flying at dawn or sunset and locating the place to which or from which they are flying.Wasps hawk or hunt their prey searching and investigating the various habitats they can find – shrubs, nooks and crannies and anywhere that insects feed and shelter –capturing and killing caterpillars, cicadas, stick insects, wetas, raiding beehives and so on. Many of our native insects fall prey to them and it is probable that they cause local extinction of some species, perhaps even total extinction in some cases. Areas around large wasp nests (these may contain up to 5000 individuals} can become biological deserts. Unfortunately there is very little hard data to back up such statements but it is likely that the numbers and abundance of the insect fauna will have been diminished by them. We

6 − Winter 2011

know that the numbers of butterflies (and probably moths) are considerably reduced by the depredations of wasps which capture their caterpillars. Monarch butterfly caterpillars are frequently eliminated from their swan plant food. It is a great pity that we have very little data to indicate to us what the diversity and abundance of the insect fauna was like before these introduced wasps became established.The extent of the impact of wasps on the environment is not fully understood or generally appreciated. Potentially it could be very serious to the extent that consideration should be given to setting up a ‘coordinating authority for wasp’, establishing a strategy for controlling and eventually eliminating (a dream?) the introduced wasps, and developing a priority list of research topics which could in some way be funded/sponsored. One high priority need is the development of a record of base-line information about the ecosystem as it is at present so that there is a data base with which future situations can be compared.It is interesting to note that an ‘Environmental Protection Authority Bill’ has just been passed by Parliament and that the Ministry of Science and Innovations Research Investigations and Monitoring Unit hosted a ‘Science Road Show’ gathering in Auckland on 27 May which various research providers attended to explain and discuss research programmes and priorities with Auckland Council staff .Was wasp impact given any priority?

Graeme Ramsay

Large White ButterflyLast year one of our members discovered an unusual caterpillar in the vegetable garden – on brassicae, These turned out to be larvae of the Large White (Pieris brassicae) and raised alarm with the authorities.Experts were flown into Nelson from all corners of the country and began rigorously looking for more larvae, which probably arrived at the Port of Nelson. Several more were found, all within ten kilometres of the original site. It was hoped that they had all been found.However, according to sources MAF Biosecurity NZ plant response team adviser Bruce Philip said that twelve new finds have been made between March and May – once again, all in the central Nelson area.At this point MAF Biosecurity intend to have another publicity push in the spring to encourage people to notify them of any finds.

Our SolicitorSince before the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust was formed we have been guided by John Gallie from Gallie Miles & Co Ltd, in Te Awamutu.Together with Linda Miles, John formed the practice of Gallie Miles in 1992, but as John was looking at retiring to Russell we were able to utilise his services when he was at his holiday home. He has never charged us and while we have never given him any huge or dramatic challenges, we have been both fortunate and grateful. He is also very involved in a number of conservation organisations in Russell, being one of the key figures in the Russell Landcare Group.John retired on 31 March and is now giving up his practising certificate. We want to take this opportunity of thanking him for the great advice he has given us and wish him well in his retirement – grandchildren, conservation and travels are high on his list of priorities.Best wishes John, we’ve loved having you on board.Meanwhile, we are looking out for a replacement legal advisor – it’s not an onerous task, preferably someone interested in conservation and Lepidoptera. Please contact trust@monarch.org.nz.

Caterpillar CastlesGet prepared for the spring/summer. We have just taken delivery of more caterpillar castles – but stocks never last long and the feedback is always excellent about them.Collapsible, lightweight, durable, washable. Fine mesh with one clear vinyl window for easy viewing.Large (33 x 33 x 60cm) are $25 for members, $30 non-members. P&P is $5 for one or two castles.Jumbo (60 x 60 x 90cm) are $45 for members, $50 for non-members. P&P is $10.

Tagging MonarchsOver 150 people registered for tagging this year – some people have tagged between 400 and 1,000 butterflies! We need to have still more tagged, and more people aware of the project so that other New Zealanders look out for tagged Monarchs.Will you join us next year?Several people have reported clusters of overwintering Monarchs around the countryside. Letters have appeared in national newspapers and magazines and hopefully we will receive more sightings from golfers, walkers and people who enjoy the bush and wild places.

A beautiful photograph of a tagged MonarchThanks Anna Barnett

7 − Winter 2011

Kawhia CreationAn exciting new venture for Kawhia was inspired by member Linda Wix’s love for Monarch butterflies. Because of ill health Linda, in her own words, has had a “slow season” having tagged only about 600 of the Monarch butterflies she has released!Linda (photo above) was in one of our earlier newsletters sharing a tip for raising Monarchs safely from wasps. And now in the grounds of the Kawhia Medical Centre, with funds raised from raffles and donations and with the help from Community Board member Jan Bennett and local gardener Wendy Roberts, an area of garden has been protected from predators with stout fencing and netting on all sides where the Monarch caterpillars can “safely graze”. Plans are now to plant more nectar flowers to encourage the Monarchs to stay around. Who knows, in the future there might even be other species of butterflies on show.On a recent visit to beautiful Kawhia harbour there were still Monarchs emerging from their pupae although Linda is pleased that they have ‘slowed down’. Well done Linda and your supporters. Keep up the great work!Photos: Waitomo News

Ecofest, NelsonNelson members of the MBNZT will once again have a presence at the Ecofest to be held over the weekend of 20-21 August in the Trafalgar Centre. The Ecofest describes itself as ‘a home and garden show with a green conscience’, and last year it attracted over 6000 visitors. Chrissie Ward and her faithful band of helpers will be running a stand, where they provide information about the work of the Trust,about Lepidoptera and other insects, sell plants and gift items and answer lots of questions.If anyone has ideas about what could be added to the stand, can donate raffle items, or would like to help on either or both days, please contact Chrissie on 03 5469818, cj.ward@xtra.co.nz

In the Catlins...At the beginning of March we had 65 7-10 year old children come to Earthlore to help solve this puzzling case. After briefing the children from the case file, the Inspector sent them off to catch as many insects as they could in order to compile a suspect list. After each group had caught their insects, Inspector Insector identified the said insects and then worked through the clues to see if any of the captured insects could be the perpetrator of the crime.The kids came back with a wide and varied selection of suspects (including several Monarchs), with the very last group managing to nab Bugsy Bombardier – a metallic green ground beetle who was the main suspect in the case. After further investigation and some help from the children, Inspector Insector and his team of Private Investigators managed to prove that Bugsy Bombardier did indeed kill Hum Bug by biting him on the neck – the bite marks on Hum Bug’s neck matched Bugsy’s choppers. Bugsy was given a stern talking to before being released – along with all other insects – where the PIs caught them.The children all thoroughly enjoyed the day and made the Inspector a fabulous card as a thank you. The teachers too gave us very positive feedback and so we will be promoting the Inspector Insector concept to schools in the coming months and writing more case files of insect mysteries for children to investigate.We are also looking to link programmes with the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, working with schools in the Catlins and surrounding area to create an awareness and appreciation for the wonders of the insect world.

Inspector Insector being assisted by pupils from Balclutha’s Rosebank school to solve the murder mystery of Hum Bug the Huhu beetle

\Yellow shouldered ladybird (Apolinus lividigaster) eating milkweed aphid

(Aphis nerii) Photo: Darren Gedye

8 − Winter 2011

Kapiti ButterfliesOn the Kapiti Coast at the end of May an announcement that a new attraction was to be developed was met with excitement from the local community.A butterfly farm to be set in the Lindale Tourism Complex involves the efforts of local schoolchildren and butterfly-lovers. The children were invited to plant milkweed seeds which will be the first host plants at the attraction. The seeds have come from a monster of a milkweed grown by Dave Christie, the brains behind the attraction.Kapiti District Mayor Jenny Rowan is the patron of the Kapiti Monarch Butterfly Trust and commented that the initiative was an exciting and inspirational story.A walk-through butterfly house is planned, as well as a rotunda where live butterflies can be released on special occasions such as weddings. It will provide a glorious backdrop for wedding photographs.Seven-year-old Lily Edwards (pictured) composed a special song about butterflies especially for the occasion and, accompanied by her father Ryan on a guitar, gave the first live performance to the acclaim of those gathered. I think we’ll be hearing more from this young lady in the future.The KMBT will encourage schools to visit to learn about biodiversity and ecology as well as butterfly tagging. For more information watch their website:http://www.lindale.co.nz/index.php?page=butterfly-world

Phoenix Preschool, AshburtonLyn (MBNZT trustee) brought Monarchs to this preschool and shared a wealth of information with us. They write:“We looked and saw their were six chrysalises on the swan plant and looking at the chart on the life cycle of the monarch butterfly we could see they had been caterpillars first. We decided to make some caterpillars ourselves and Carole got us all organised with paper and paint... in not too many days our first butterfly climbed out of his chrysalis, right in front of our eyes! How exciting!And if that wasn’t enough, a second one began that day too so we had two beautiful monarchs drying their wings ready to fly. We waited patiently until one made a dash and sat on top of the air conditioning unit... we moved it on very quickly and out into the playground, and with the doors open No. 2 escaped happily too. We followed them out and watched them play in our trees for some time. After that we made and decorated some pupae and talked about what happens inside them, hanging the nice fat pupae on our display. We could hardly believe our luck when two more went the next day, and two more two days later... all in the week! The children were thrilled to pieces! Of course we celebrated with more painting and chose some wacky colours for our own butterflies to finish the display. We hope you like them!”

Fundraiser : stickersWith your membership renewal you will receive five sheets of stickers. These promote our new website (still under development), will be useful to make people more aware of the variety of butterflies in NZ, and also – if you can sell these to a friend, or buy them yourselves, will boost our funds. We would ask for a donation of $20 to cover the five sheets.You can make payment using internet banking - but please quote your surname and your postcode or we won’t know who you are, or return them to us using Freepost if you wish).

9 − Winter 2011

Alex GiblinWidower Alex Giblin is 87 years old and has been raising monarchs for a long time. Last year he joined our team of taggers.Alex has a ‘nursery’, a garden shed where the entrances have been covered with netting to keep out predators. Over the summer it is crammed with pupae in various stages, large caterpillars marching around, and several recently-hatched butterflies waiting to be tagged.He no longer drives so this keeps him pretty much at home – but local Monarch members have taken him to some of the closer overwintering sites much to his delight.Pictured below – a corner of his shed.

Case Moth and WaspPictured lower left is Meteorus pulchricornis, a parasitic wasp hanging from a case moth, Liothula omnivra.Caterpillars from case moths weave their cases often attaching twigs and other items to the outside in order to camouflage themselves. The nature of the items which may be attached and the way they are attached sometimes make the case unique and characteristic for each species. At night the caterpillar emerges (only its front part with the legs) and walks, carrying its case on its back as it were, in search of food and shelter. Cases can be found on the outside of buildings, on twigs, foliage on which they feed, and so on, attached by the caterpillar’s silk.There is a large widespread common species in NZ, whose case or bag may be up to 5-6 centimetres long. In this species the adult female has no wings, that is she is flightless, and could be described as a fat maggot covered in scales. The male of course is winged in order to seek out the female who then produces many eggs within her case. Emerging caterpillars escape through the aperture at the bottom of the case. They are members of the family Psychidae.Thanks Charlotte Beesley for the photograph, entomologists John Early and Graeme Ramsay for the information.

Starting YoungSean Winch (aged 6) has been very involved in the tagging of 50 butterflies at the Winch family residence.He loved checking the plants for new butterflies first thing in the morning and again as soon as he gets home from school. He is very gentle with his friends the butterflies.If you live near Sam (Te Puke) please look out for tagged Monarchs as he would love to know where they are going.

10 − Winter 2011

A tiny egg upon a leaf

A tiny egg upon a leafbeginning a life of unbelief.Then this tiny ’pillar grows,as through each swan plant it mows.It eats so fast and grows so quick,’til each swan plant is just a stick.Now in a J-shape upside downuntil finally ready to remove the gown.Twitching of its tiny face,transformation taking place.The skin does split, as underneath is seen,the underbody of sage green.Then wriggling violently within this sack,the skin is shed from along its back.This shape now changes slightly,hoping that it’s held on tightly.Tiny beads of gold adorn the shell,little creature you’ve done so well!After time the shell looks black,but closer inspection,shows the patterns of the life within.The Monarch butterfly emerges,twisting and turning,opening its wings slowly unfurling,Oh beautiful Monarch, newly formed,after shedding the cover, once adorned,tones of orange with veins of black.No longer stripes upon your back,wings with tiny white spots upon their tips,fluid from your body drips.The wings expand and as they unfurl,we can now see if you’re a boy or a girl.The two black spots now tell the tale,that this butterfly is... a male.

Wings still a twirling and a drying,preparation for the flying...Then when it’s feeling strong enough,and those fragile wings, a little tough,then up, up, into the sky,flies the gentle, beautiful, butterfly.like an autumn leaf a floating by.Bathing in the sun, avoiding each shower,looking for nectar, to devourthe Buddleia, a much loved flower.Tiny black, tongue-like protrusion,uncurling, probing, for its extrusion,Illuminated colours acting as a guideof that lovely, liquid, food inside.When the male Monarch has had his fill,he flies up high, into the sky, until...he releases a scent to his female friends,these minute chemicals he sends,attracting the girls, as with hormones,little chemicals, called pheromones.The female picks this up from far awayand even as much, as two k.For the lady gets a whiff of that scentthen she flies up high to be with her gent.The courtship begins with the chase,a flitter, a flutter, a small delicate race.A push, a nudge, a gentle shove,they float down from those skies above.Now on the ground and back to back,they then complete the final act.In a short time he’s done the deed,the planting of his Monarch seed.She will need to find the perfect site,not just any plant, it has to be just right.For she’s looking for a milkweed leafto deposit her eggs, usually underneath.A tiny egg upon a leaf,beginning a life of unbelief...

Yvonne Wallisillustrations © 2008 Emma Conwaywww.boopino.com

Book Review: ‘Managing Pests and Diseases for New Zealand Gardeners’When reading the recently published book ‘Managing pests and diseases for New Zealand Gardeners’ by Rob Lucas, the quotation ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’ immediately came to mind.The 400-page book contains 700 high quality photographs which clearly show examples of diseases, pest insects and bugs, right through to aphids on swan plants.The appropriate remedies, both organic and chemical are described, as the author favours a holistic approach and includes the timely reminder that many insecticides kill beneficial insects along with the pests. Whether your interest is plants for butterflies, the flower garden or the vegetable garden, the text and photographs make defining problems with plants straightforward, and the procedures to correct the problems well defined. This is a reprint of an earlier edition, and should be on everyone’s shelves whether you are an amateur or experienced gardener. Thoroughly recommended, published by Craig Potton Publishing. 404 pages, 220x150mm, 914g, ISBN 978 1 877333 28 6.Those people who pay their subscription before the end of July will go into the draw to win a copy. But if you don’t fancy your chances at winning a copy, you can order a copy/copies at a reduced price on your membership subscription form ($36 instead of $45). (If you order a copy, you will still go into the draw.)

Norm Twigge

Book Review: Nana Helen and the ’mazing Monarch ButterflyWhat a thrill to find a children’s book about Monarchs written in NZ. Dannevirke’s Ann Sergeant loves telling children’s stories and also appreciates Nature and photography. She combined all of her passions in producing this book, the tale of one of her grand-daughters, Moni, who inquires about the life on her swan plants. The story covers Ann’s grandchildren’s visits to her garden and answers the many questions that they ask about the Monarch’s metamorphosis. The text is written in simple language and would be a delight to read aloud to young children. There is more information to add to what is given regarding the Monarchs’ overwintering habits in New Zealand, but the book is a great first primer for Monarch lovers.$30 plus P&P, can be ordered from her website, www.annsergeant.blogspot.com or by sending an email to kel-ann-s@xnet.co.nz. A4, full colour, 45 pages.Ann has kindly donated a copy to the MBNZT to give away to one of the members who pays their subscription before the end of July.

Jacqui Knight

Incentives to RenewIt’s that time of the year when your subscription is due – but to make it more pleasant we have some wonderful products to offer you if you get your sub. in quickly. Those who pay before the end of June will go into the lucky draw for all these goodies:A wonderful hamper of Barker’s fine products, worth $60. Barker’s of Geraldine began over forty years ago and continues today making delicious jams, spreads and pickles, all made from locally sourced produce. Their name is known for its integrity, quality and innovation. Value $60!Three lucky members will also receive two bottles of Richmond Plains Wines. Established in 1991 and exclusively organic since inception, Nelson’s Richmond Plains vineyard is an organic and biodynamic specialist – the first NZ winery to achieve both certifications. Richmond Plains produced NZ’s first ever Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir from certified organic

11 − Winter 2011

12 − Winter 2011

Owner wanted: $$$Did you deposit cash to the MBNZT bank account in March, but haven’t received a receipt? The reason is: we don’t know who you are! Please email treasurer@monarch.org.nz or phone 09 551 3383 (Jacqui). We have a stray deposit with no identifying details.

and biodynamic grapes. Their wines recently won the first ever gold medals for organic and biodynamic wines in Hong Kong. All of their entries at the Hong Kong Show won medals. They have proudly sponsored the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust for the past three years.“Richmond Plains’ philosophy is to produce delicious wine – while truly working with nature,” says Lars

Jensen, owner. “By carefully growing and nurturing our vines using natural, organic and biodynamic methods and harnessing all that nature has to offer, we can truly express the vineyard’s character or terroir in our wines.”An exciting new product excellent for those of you wanting to plant stinging nettle for the Admiral butterflies but not wanting to get stung! Woolly Pockets (or Wallys) are pouches which can be hung on walls, creating a third dimension to your garden.Wallys come in three different configurations and the NZ agents, Natural Tree Products Ltd are giving away three Wally Ones, worth $66 each, single pouches 38cm high, 60cm long which will hold 10 litres of material.You can create a vertical garden on just about any type of wall or fence – each Wally has the universal fasteners and wall anchors necessary. Then you fill the Wally with soil and your plants and voila! an instant living wall. For more information check out the website www.planthire.co.nz. (Photos courtesy of Suthi Picotte.)As well, some lucky members will be given complimentary packets of milkweed seeds, which will be distributed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.