The puriri moth (Aenetus virescens), also commonly called the ghost moth or pepetuna, is a species of moth of the family Hepialidae, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. It spends the first five to six years of its life as a grub in a tree trunk, with the last 48 hours of its life as a moth. Interestingly in the illustration a fungus (Ophiocordyceps robertsii), is growing on the caterpillar after invading the leaf-litter dwelling moths and turning it into a fungal mummies.

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Size: 3245px × 4920px
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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