Award to Earthlore in Owaka

Great example of NZ butterfly habitat

The Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust is proud to announce that Earthlore, of Owaka in The Catlins, has been awarded certification as a shining example of butterfly garden/habitat.

Concern for New Zealand’s endemic butterflies has led to gardeners looking for good examples of how to make their gardens, or wild spaces, more attractive to butterflies and moths.

Gordon and Janine Thompson have been developing their habitat since 2006. They have been inspired by the principles of permaculture and the need for people to learn about preserving Nature. Half of the 4 ha property is conservation habitat where they have planted a wide range of native trees and plants, creating ecosystems to attract and sustain native insects, birds and fungi.

“We have planted a wide range of plants to attract insects,” said Gordon. “We are buzzing at the moment,” said Janine, thinking of all the possibilities this opens up for us.”

“There are many organisations working to protect kiwi, kokako and even giant snails,” said Trust spokesperson Lyn Ridge from her garden in Ashburton, “but NZ has very few species of butterflies and they are becoming less known each year.”

South Island lepidopterist Brian Patrick has identified a tiny purple copper butterfly which exists only in one coastal car-park.
“It’s teetering on the edge of survival,” he said. “The plight of our butterfly fauna is heavily dependent on human respect if they are to survive and thrive. Several butterflies are threatened with extinction even before they are described.”

NZ’s Red Admiral is another classic example.

“World-renowned lepidopterist Nigel Venters says that the NZ Red Admiral, Bassaris gonerilla, known as Kahukura to the Maori, is the most beautiful in the world,” she said. “But in many places now you don’t see it any more although it was once common all over the country. Admirals breed on stinging nettle–and gardeners and developers think this is a ‘nasty weed’ to be eradicated.”

“We have rolled our butterfly fauna back to the mountains and far-flung places,” added Patrick. “so that now many once familiar species are no longer found in cities, towns or surrounding countryside.”

“Sadly, young New Zealanders are no longer familiar with even our commonest butterflies because of the elimination of them from our cities, towns and countryside. Good on the Monarch Trust for taking up this initiative.”

At Earthlore they are pulling out all the stops to encourage NZ’s butterflies and moths and other insects as well. They know that in a true ecosystem, a wide range of insect life demonstrates a healthy environment.

The Thompsons have planned a Bugfest at Earthlore for Sunday, 30 January. Brian Patrick will be in attendance and will present them with their plaque on behalf of the Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust.

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