Explore related articles

White butterflies

Butterflies are appealing insects. We actively encourage them to visit our gardens, but white butterflies (Pieris rapae rapae) are an exception. We consider them unwelcome dinner guests because of the damage ...(Pieris

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ARTICLE

Investigating butterflies – an introduction

Almost all of the butterflies in New Zealand are native and most are endemic. Compared to big, colourful species from other countries, our native butterflies are small and secretive. When someone ...

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ARTICLE

New Zealand native butterflies

Big, bold butterflies like the monarch are easy to spot. If you want to see some of our natives, careful observation is the key.

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Explore related activities

ACTIVITY

White butterfly life cycle

In this activity, students use white butterfly eggs, larvae and pupae to examine the white butterfly life cycle and to compare it with that of a monarch butterfly. By the end of this activity ...

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ACTIVITY

Rearing moths to observe life cycles

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) follow the same life cycle stages – egg, larva, pupa and adult – but aspects differ from species to species. By rearing moths, students can observe the moth ...

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ACTIVITY

Establishing butterfly transects

In this activity, students set up and walk a transect to observe and record butterfly sightings. Butterfly sightings are then recorded on the Monarch Butterfly New Zealand Trust website. Modify ...

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Explore related citizen science projects

CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

iNaturalist

iNaturalist logs hundreds of thousands of photos of flora, fauna and fungi. There are even sound recordings too. Each is described and geo located. iNaturalist is used by citizens and scientists ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

The Pieris Project

This project involves the pesky Pieris rapae (better known as the white butterfly or white cabbage butterfly), which is very common in New Zealand. It is believed to have originated in Europe and is ...

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CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Marine Metre Squared

Marine Metre Squared is a New Zealand citizen science project that supports communities to monitor their local seashore. The project has been designed to provide meaningful, valid environmental ...

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Explore related PLD

TEACHER PLD

Butterflies (lower primary) – unit plan

This unit plan is designed for students in years 1-5. When someone mentions the word butterfly, what image pops into your head? Chances are it’s the monarch or the white butterfly, as these are ...

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TEACHER PLD

Butterflies (upper primary) – unit plan

This unit plan is designed for students in years 6-8. When someone mentions the word ‘butterfly’, what image pops into your head? Chances are it’s the monarch or the white butterfly, as these are ...

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TEACHER PLD

Teachers using the Hub - Butterflies and citizen science ...

In this online PD session recorded on 30 July 2015, primary school teacher Angela Schipper describes how she used Butterflies from the Science Learning Hub in the classroom. In particular ...

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Explore related videos

VIDEO

Te Tārore Pepe Tuna ‘Heath’ me tana hakaka

E whakamārama ana a Georgia, tētahi o kā ākoka ki Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti, me pēhea te whakarite i te tārore pepe tuna Heath, ki te whakamanea, ki te hopu i kā pepe tuna. English translation ...

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VIDEO

Heath moth trap and data collection

Dr Barbara Anderson from Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research and Lily from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ōtepoti explain why the Ahi Pepe MothNet project uses a Heath trap for the collection of moth ...

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VIDEO

Naming organisms

Dr Peter Buchanan and Dr Robert Hoare, of Landcare Research NZ Ltd, introduce the classification system that scientists use to identify and name organisms.

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Explore related interactives

INTERACTIVE

Monarch butterfly life cycle

The life cycle of the monarch butterfly.

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INTERACTIVE

New Zealand native butterflies – slideshow

Use this New Zealand native butterflies slideshow to learn more about native butterfly habits and behaviour, then go butterfly hunting!

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INTERACTIVE

New Zealand butterfly families – slideshow

Most of New Zealand's butterflies belong to the Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae families. Remember for optional viewing of this slide show select the full screen icon.

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