Host.

Larvae, pupae and adults of both sexes of the Hepialid moth Oxycanus cervinatus Walk. It probably occurs in some of the other 18 N.Z. species of the genus. O. cervinatus is a single-brooded insect the moths of which fly in October. The larvae and pupae occur in the oil where the larva constructs a burrow or tunnel. It emerges to feed on green vegetation and is a serious defoliator of pastures. The adult insect is very short-lived and, lacking functional mouthparts, takes no food.