Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

"KUMARA GRUB."

GIANT CATERPILLAR. THREE INCHES LONG. PECULIARITIES OF MOTH. An unusual caterpillar of great size is appearing in large numbers in various parts of the North Island. Over three inches long and almost as thick as a man's linger, it is known as the sphinx caterpillar from its habit of rearing up in the manner of a sphinx. The usual colour is a vivid green with black breathing holes along each side of the body that appear like portholes on a ship. Brown and white specimens are also found. The caterpillar feeds

only on plants of the convolvulus I family, and it is known to farmers as the kumara grub. A striking feature is a long, sharp horn, like a rose thorn, at the end of the body, used to repel birds and other enemies. Mr. E. A. Falla, ornithologist at the. Auckland War Memorial Museum, said that he had had many inquiries lately about this giant caterpillar, which was the largest found in New Zealand. Although they were found in most parts of the world they had previously been fairly rare in New Zealand. The moth that evolved from the sphinx caterpillar was much smaller than one would expect from so large a grub. It was known as the hawk moth, from its remarkably swift flight and its curious hovering action when extracting honey from flowers. Its colouring was a delicate grey and black, with mottled wings and a body striped in pink, black, and white. The moth was no less extraordinary than the caterpillar, having a t proboscis, or feeding tube, over six inches long.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19350321.2.19

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 68, 21 March 1935, Page 5

Word Count
268

"KUMARA GRUB." Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 68, 21 March 1935, Page 5

"KUMARA GRUB." Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 68, 21 March 1935, Page 5

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert