Monday 3 November 2014

Scientists feel wonderment and awe!
Did you know the Puriri moth caterpillar lives for 6 years inside a tree?
When it hatches out it lives as a moth for only 2 days!
I am so glad I am not a puriri moth.
At Nga Manu you will see this tree.
The holes on the tree trunk are made by the caterpilar.  While the caterpillar is inside the tree the holes are covered by a silky covering to camouflage the opening.
Many trees have a short life due to the puriri moth holes.
The maori name for this tree is Puta puta weta, because after the moth has hatched out the weta's live in the holes.

The Puriri Moth


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