SWAN PLANT FLOWER MOTH (Glyphodes onychinalis) _____________________________________________________
The caterpillar of the SWAN PLANT FLOWER MOTH (Glyphodes onychinalis) is usually found feeding on the inflorescences of Asclepias (Tropical Milkweed), Gomphocarpus (Swan Plant) and Hoya (Apocynaceae). This means that in northern parts of NZ there will be plenty of common host plants in peoples’ gardens, so it never lacks for a host plants. It is found from India to NZ.
It's difficult to see the caterpillars because they are long and slim and quite the same green of the swan plant leaves. They are quite shiny and can be identified by four tiny black spots on top of the head. Being a looper or inchworm, that has no legs on its middle section of the body, to move along it reaches out with its front half then moves its back legs up to its front legs (forming an upturned U).
The caterpillar weaves a sticky web around the swan plant leaves. It does similar around the flowers and the flowers soon dry out and die. You can tell that the infestation is swan plant Flower moth because you'll notice tiny little black 'seeds' of their poo everywhere.
It builds a small, slim, cocoon that's a golden colour. The pupation stage is anything from 7-20 days, depending on air temperatures (shorter pupation during hot summer days/longer pupation as temperatures cool).
The moth emerges quickly and is quite beautiful. It measures 15 - 20mm across the wings, which look quite flutey.
The marking on the wings, that appear a white-cream colour in my photos, are actually almost transparent and you can see through them.
Click on each picture below to see a larger view......................
It's difficult to see the caterpillars because they are long and slim and quite the same green of the swan plant leaves. They are quite shiny and can be identified by four tiny black spots on top of the head. Being a looper or inchworm, that has no legs on its middle section of the body, to move along it reaches out with its front half then moves its back legs up to its front legs (forming an upturned U).
The caterpillar weaves a sticky web around the swan plant leaves. It does similar around the flowers and the flowers soon dry out and die. You can tell that the infestation is swan plant Flower moth because you'll notice tiny little black 'seeds' of their poo everywhere.
It builds a small, slim, cocoon that's a golden colour. The pupation stage is anything from 7-20 days, depending on air temperatures (shorter pupation during hot summer days/longer pupation as temperatures cool).
The moth emerges quickly and is quite beautiful. It measures 15 - 20mm across the wings, which look quite flutey.
The marking on the wings, that appear a white-cream colour in my photos, are actually almost transparent and you can see through them.
Click on each picture below to see a larger view......................