Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Kawakawa Looper

Cleora scriptaria Walker


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae

Size range

  • Wingspan 40–50 mm

Distribution

  • Native, found throughout New Zealand

Life History

  • Caterpillars feed nocturnally on leaves of Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) and other native shrubs including ake–ake (Dodonaea viscosa) and horopito (Pseudowintera)
  • Most kawakawa plants have holes in the leaves made by these caterpillars

Additional images