Pūriri moths or pepetuna (Aenetus virescens) are a large species of moth that are endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. This means they are only found here, and they are also only found in the North Island! Pūriri moths are unique, ecologically significant, and have huge cultural importance.

Appearance

Pūriri moths are very striking due to their large size and bright colours, though they are nocturnal so they can still be rare to see. They are the largest moth in Aotearoa, with females having up to a 15cm wingspan! Male pūriri moths are usually smaller and have white markings on their forewings that distinguish them from females. These moths are most well-known and most often bright green, but they have also been found in other colours like yellow, red, and white. The caterpillars are large, growing up to 7 or 8 cm.

Life cycle

Eggs are laid on the forest floor. Pūriri moth caterpillars will live amongst leaf litter and dead wood before climbing a tree trunk and burrowing into it to create a tunnel to live in. They can live at this life stage for up to 5 years, feeding on the tree and continuing to grow. Caterpillars will pupate when they have reached a large enough size, turning into adult moths. Adults emerge mostly between October and December, but usually only live for a few days to mate and lay eggs.

Relationships

Pūriri moths mostly live in native forests, though they can have a variety of habitats, especially where their preferred host trees are located. Their preferred host trees are native trees like pūriri trees and often putaputawētā (marbleleaf). Although, they will also burrow into many other tree species, including non-natives. After the pūriri moth has left its burrow, other invertebrates will often take over the burrow for shelter. Wētā are known to do this, and this is where the name of the tree putaputawētā comes from, as often there will be many wētā living in old pūriri moth burrows in these trees!

Cultural significance

Pūriri moths have strong cultural significance to Māori, seen by many as a spiritual messenger or the spirit of an ancestor visiting their descendants. This is linked to their flight happening at dusk or at night, often thought of as the realm of spirits. The name pepetuna means eel moth, due to the moths being eaten by eels and the traditional use of caterpillars as bait to catch eels.

Cornwall Park is home to many pūriri trees, especially along Pūriri Drive, which is named after them. Come and see our pūriri trees in Cornwall Park and maybe you’ll be able to spot the burrow of a pūriri moth!