Meterana exquisita
The Exquisite Olearia Owlet is a rare noctuid moth that has suffered greatly from the loss of its tree daisy (Olearia) habitat. Once found from Auckland to Invercargill, the disappearance of tree daisies (small-leaved Olearia shrubs) that the species’ larvae are completely reliant on has reduced their numbers and distribution throughout New Zealand. In addition to this species, there are many other threatened moths that are totally reliant on tree daisies (small-leaved Olearia shrubs and trees). Thus, we would like to use Meterana exquisita to increase awareness for the need to protect tree daisy shrublands and the special moth fauna that has existed alongside these plants for millions of years.
The Exquisite Olearia Owlet certainly lives up to its name, being an exquisite beauty of Aotearoa’s tree daisy (Olearia) shrublands. The colour pattern is a pale blue/green mixed with contrasting white and black markings in a pattern form that resembles lichen and blends in well with their natural small-leaved tree daisy habitat, as well as lichen-encrusted branches and rocks. The species has been historically reported in Auckland, Waikato, Taupo, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Nelson, South Canterbury, Mackenzie country, Central Otago, Otago Lakes, and Southland. However, some populations have become rare or extinct due to habitat loss.
The host species for the larvae are small-leaved tree daisy species, including Olearia hectorii, O. odorata, O. lineata, O. fimbriata, O. solandri and O. bullata. This species has only one generation a year. The larvae are bright-green coloured and are well camouflaged when feeding on their host species.
Larvae feed for one month before they pupate. Adults are on the wing at night from August to December but are most common from September to October. The adult moths are attracted to light.
The Exquisite Olearia Owlet is now rare in some regions and has been extirpated from some sites, including its type locality in Southland. They are classified as “At Risk, Relict'” by the Department of Conservation. The loss of the host plants of this species due to land development and fires has caused this decline. As such, protection, and expansion of shrublands containing small-leaved Olearia is important for their conservation, as well as that of many other moth species that are rare specialists on tree daisies.
Check these links for more info on the Exquisite Olearia Owlet in NZ
Wikipedia: Information on Meterana exquisita
Additional photos: Exquisite Olearia Owlet
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