Epiphryne verriculata

Epiphryne verriculata, the cabbage tree moth, is a species of geometer moth (Geometridae). These moths only occur in New Zealand, where they are widespread. As larvae they exclusively feed on several species of cabbage trees (Cordyline). Their wings have an unusual pattern that allows them to camouflage it against dead leaves of cabbage trees. The species was first described in 1875 by Baron Cajetan von Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer. The larvae are bright green, but become brownish as they get older. The female lays eggs on the leaves, on which it also hides during day time. After hatching, the larvae feed on live leaves, creating distinctive notches and channels in the leaves. They take several months to mature into adults. The larvae are known be parasitised by insects such as braconid wasps and bristle flies.