Vegetable Caterpillar vs Sunbeam Butterfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vegetable Caterpillar | Sunbeam Butterfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ophiocordyceps robertsii | Curetis thetis |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 50-100 mm (caterpillar plus fungal stalk) | 34-40 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Vegetable Caterpillar
The host of this relationship is the caterpillar of the native moth Aenetus virescens, parasitized by the endemic Cordyceps fungus. The fungus invades and mummifies the caterpillar underground, then sends a fruiting body to the surface. It was known to Maori as awhato.
Did You Know?
Maori prized the vegetable caterpillar as a pigment source, grinding the fungus-caterpillar combination to produce a blue-black tattoo ink.
Sunbeam Butterfly
Dark upper wings contrast with brilliant silvery-white undersides. Fast-flying and sun-loving, often found darting around treetops.
Did You Know?
Its reflective silver underside flashes in sunlight, earning the genus the name Sunbeam.