The Insects of the Garden
Amy
B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden also propagates
native Hawaiian insects, one of which is the pulelehua,
otherwise known as the Kamehameha Butterfly (Vanessa
tameamea).
This beautiful insect is one of only two butterfly species native to the islands. The adults feed on the sap of koa trees but lay their eggs on the mamaki plant.
The
spiked caterpillars are nocturnal and feed
on the mamaki leaves.
Small caterpillars fold a section of
leaf over to protect them like a sleeping bag
during the day. The pupae resemble dried mamaki
leaves. After two weeks in a cocoon, the splendid
adult emerges.