Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Cabbage tree caterpillar

Epiphryne verriculata Felder & Rogenhofer


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae

Size range

  • 15–20 mm

Distribution

  • Native, found throughout the range of cabbage trees

Life History

  • Caterpillars feed on the young unopened leaves of cabbage tree (Cordyline australis)
  • Nocturnal feeding activity leaves holes and notches in the expanding leaves
  • Caterpillars pupate amongst debris at base of tree trunk
  • Adults perfectly camouflaged on dead cabbage tree leaves

Further information

Additional images