Rnz: Afternoons With Jesse Mulligan

These speedy little flyers are found all over the country and are also shared with some parts of Australia. They resemble the red admiral butterfly, except for the bright yellow patches on the upper wings. The caterpillars depend on nettle to survive, and the dwindling host plants, as well as impacts from introduced predators is having an effect on their population numbers. As such, the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust launched the Big Butterfly Count last year to find out more information on numbers of butterfly populations around the country. It is happening right now from the 9-20 February.