Watch out: the weather is warming and the American ragwort aphids are *multiplying*.

American ragwort aphids specialise on Senecio plants, of which NZ has many species, including some threatened endemic species.

The aphid arrived in NZ (somehow) in 2023, and has since got to work munching on our plants. The American aphids are also now being tended and protected by exotic Australian ants.

In the South Island these aphids are still restricted to Christchurch city (at least based on observations on #iNaturalist and #GBIF).

It would be great if you could keep a look out for them in other places. They're the only big black aphid in NZ (black bodies and legs).

Here are three of my observations of them from this month.

#aphids #PlantInsectInteractions #herbivory #BiologicalInvasions #NZ #Christchurch #iNaturalistNZ #insects #entomology

https://inaturalist.nz/taxa/453265-Aphis-lugentis

Today in Cinnabar Moth News!

3 of 4 caterpillars I collected on 6 Jan on the NZ native pahohoraka pupated today. The 4th is a prepupa. Oddly, all have fed solely on pahohoraka (Senecio quadridentatus).

The small caterpillar I collected in Somerfield on European groundel has moulted.

I found *more* caterpillars in the city today, including on the South African gravel groundsel, maybe a new host association. https://inaturalist.nz/observations/258633900

#PlantInsectInteractions #NZ #herbivores #insects #mothodon

Here's my surprise of the day (and the year so far).

Cinnabar moths were introduced into New Zealand to control ragwort.

I have never seen cinnabar moth larvae in Christchurch city before, and I have never seen them feeding on the native ragwort relative *Senecio quadridentatus* before.

And, yet, here they are in Christchurch city today doing exactly that.

If you see any, please let me know.

https://inaturalist.nz/observations/257561024

#insects #Biocontrol #NZ #Ōtautahi #Christchurch #PlantInsectInteractions

There's a tiny native mite in NZ, about 1/10 mm long, called Eriophyes totarae, that only feeds on the buds of male tōtara trees.

I learned about them this month when Rene, a PhD student at #LincolnUniversityNZ studying tōtara seed and seedling ecology, asked me what the aborted buds were on a tōtara branch. We looked it up and learned of these tiny mites.

I've since found some in Ōtautahi-Christchurch city.

https://inaturalist.nz/observations/254689722

#entomology #nz #mites #PlantInsectInteractions #herbivory