The butterflies of New Zealand include twelve endemic species, as well as several introduced and migrant species. Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths, is the third largest insect order in New Zealand.
The butterflies of New Zealand include twelve endemic species, as well as several introduced and migrant species. Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths, is the third largest insect order in New Zealand.
| Scientific name | Local English name [1] | Māori name [1] | Native/introduced/migrant [1] | Conservation status [2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius, 1775) | lemon emigrant | very rare migrant | ||
| Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758) | white butterfly | pepe mā | introduced | |
| Lycaena boldenarum White, 1862 | boulder copper | pepe para riki | native, endemic | |
| Lycaena salustius (Fabricius, 1793) | common copper | pepe para riki | native, endemic | |
| Lycaena feredayi (Bates, 1867) | glade copper | pepe para riki | native, endemic | |
| Lycaena rauparaha (Fereday, 1877) | Rauparaha's copper | mokarakare | native, endemic | |
| Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) | long-tailed blue | native (self-introduced) | ||
| Zizina otis labradus (Godart, 1824) | common blue | pepe ao uri | native or possibly introduced | |
| Zizina oxleyi (C. & R. Felder, 1865) | southern blue | native, endemic | ||
| Tirumala hamata hamata (MacLeay, 1826) | Australian blue tiger | very rare migrant | ||
| Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758) | monarch | kahuku | native (self-introduced) | |
| Danaus petilia (Stoll, 1790) | lesser wanderer | rare migrant | ||
| Junonia villida calybe Godart, 1819 | Australian meadow argus | very rare migrant | ||
| Hypolimnas bolina nerina (Fabricius, 1775) | blue moon | regular migrant | ||
| Vanessa itea (Fabricius, 1775) | yellow admiral | kahu kōwhai | native | |
| Vanessa gonerilla gonerilla (Fabricius, 1775) | [New Zealand] red admiral | kahu kura | native, endemic | |
| Vanessa gonerilla ida (Alfken, 1899) | Chatham Island red admiral | kahu kura | native, endemic | |
| Vanessa kershawi (McCoy, 1868) | Australian painted lady | pepe parahua | regular migrant | |
| Melanitis leda bankia (Fabricius, 1775) | evening brown | very rare migrant | ||
| Percnodaimon merula (Hewitson, 1875) | black mountain ringlet | pepe pouri | native, endemic | |
| Erebiola butleri Fereday, 1879 | Butler's ringlet | pepe pouri | native, endemic | |
| Dodonidia helmsii Butler, 1884 | forest ringlet | pepe pouri te pēpepe pōuri | native, endemic | serious decline |
| Argyrophenga antipodum Doubleday, 1845 | common tussock | native, endemic | ||
| Argyrophenga harrisi Craw, 1978 | Harris's tussock | native, endemic | ||
| Argyrophenga janitae Craw, 1978 | Janita's tussock | native, endemic |
Very little is known about any butterfly extinctions since human settlement of New Zealand since they leave few remains. The majority of New Zealand invertebrates are found in forests, so it is possible that some butterflies became extinct due to the large scale forest clearance after human settlement. [3]
The forest ringlet, also known as Helms' butterfly, or te pēpepe pōuri or pepe pouri in the Māori language, is a rare butterfly of the family Nymphalidae endemic to New Zealand. It is the only species in the genus Dodonidia.
Kupea is a monotypic moth genus of the family Crambidae described by Alfred Philpott in 1930. It contains only one species, Kupea electilis, also known as Kupe's grassmoth, which is endemic to New Zealand. This species has only been recorded at Kaitorete Spit. The larvae feed on Zoysia minima and exist in a cocoon constructed of silk and sand. Adults are on the wing from March to April. It has been hypothesised that the adults are active at twilight. It is classified as Nationally Vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. The female of the species was first discovered in 2012.
Cephalissa is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae. Its only species, Cephalissa siria, the orange triangle moth, is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as nationally vulnerable by the Department of Conservation. It has suffered a contraction of its range, no longer being seen in Dunedin or Invercargill. It is currently found in the Mt Watkin Scenic Reserve, in eastern Otago, in the Rongahere Gorge and in the Dansey Ecological District. C. siria is known to inhabit kahikatea forest amongst Carex species as well as short tussock grasslands and shrubland. The larval host plant is Fuchsia perscandens. Adult moths are on the wing in October and November.
Bascantis is a genus of moths belonging to the family Tineidae. It contains only one species, Bascantis sirenica, that is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Cryptaspasma querula is a moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country. This species inhabits podocarp and broadleaf forest. The larvae consume parts of the seeds and fruits of tawa, tarairi and miro trees and are predated upon by the invasive to New Zealand house mouse. Adults are variable in appearance and also in size. They are on the wing throughout the year and are nocturnal but are attracted to light. They can be found having flown inside houses and have also been observed resting on fences or other human made structures during the day.
Izatha caustopa is a lichen tuft moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand, where it is known very locally, and very infrequently, from the southern half of the North Island: two specimens collected in 2016 were the first seen for 30 years. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Trachypepla euryleucota is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country, inhabiting native forest. The larvae are leaf litter feeders and have also been found feeding on and in bird nests. Adults are on the wing from December to March, are nocturnal and are attracted to light. During the daylight hours they can be sometimes be observed resting on walls or fences. It has been hypothesised that the adults resemble an opening manuka flower bud or bird droppings in order to camouflage themselves from predators. The raised tufts on their forewings possibly also assist with camouflaging this moth when they rest on lichen.
Platyptilia hokowhitalis is a species of moth in the family Pterophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. This species has been classified as Data Deficient by the Department of Conservation.
Pasiphila cotinaea is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. Its larvae feed off Olearia species and the adult moth can be seen on the wing from November to April. This species is regarded as rare.
Chalastra ochrea is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It has been observed in both the North and South Islands and inhabits native forest. Larvae of C. ochrea feed on the leaves of species in the genus Sophora including Sophora chathamica. Adults are on the wing from February until April. They have been collected via sugar traps.
Stathmopoda albimaculata is a species of moth in the Stathmopodidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand and is located in the lower half of the South Island. This species favours habitat that includes the various Olearia species that host its larvae. It has also been found to inhabit lowland podocarp native forest. The larvae feed on species in the genus Olearia. Adults are on the wing between the months of October and February. S. albimaculata is classified as Nationally Endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Epichorista tenebrosa is a species of moth in the family Tortricidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is found in Otago and has been collected in tussock grassland habitats. It is a late autumn emerging moth and adults are on the wing in February. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Titanomis is a genus of moths containing a single species Titanomis sisyrota, also known as the frosted phoenix. Taxonomists have difficulty placing this moth within an existing superfamily. The species is currently regarded as endemic to New Zealand. Only ten specimens have ever been found and none since 1959; it is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Erechthias lychnopa is a species of moth in the family Tineidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and has only been collected in a karaka grove at Sinclair Head in Wellington in November. It has yet to be collected again. It has been hypothesised that the larvae inhabit dead wood. It is classified as "Data Deficient" by the Department of Conservation.
Pyrgotis transfixa is a species of moth of the family Tortricidae. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Thambotricha is a monotypic genus of moths in the family Epermeniidae. Its sole known species, Thambotricha vates, is also known by the vernacular name wonder-haired prophet. It is endemic to New Zealand. This species is classified as "At Risk, Naturally Uncommon" by the Department of Conservation.
Asaphodes imperfecta is a moth in the family Geometridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the southern part of the South Island. The species inhabits low lying swampy native forest. The host plants of the larvae of this species is unknown. The adults are on the wing in December and January. It is classified as critically endangered by the Department of Conservation.
Hierodoris stella is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and occurs in Auckland, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. As at 2005 the larvae of this species is unknown as is its host plant. The adult moth frequents forest and are on the wing in January and February. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Hierodoris torrida is a species of moth in the family Oecophoridae. This species is endemic to New Zealand and can be found in the southern parts of the North Island, in Rangitikei and Wellington, and in the east of the South Island, in the Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura, Mid and South Canterbury. The larvae of this species is unknown as is much of the biology of this species and its larval hosts. The adult moth prefers lowland forest habitat. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.
Meterana exquisita is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. This species is endemic to New Zealand. It is classified as "At Risk, Relict'" by the Department of Conservation.