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I am distracted by three new-to-me cicada species in the warm November weather, meaning the gardening didn't get done.

What's worse than a new wasp in the garden? Three more. Anterhynchium tamarinum is definitely established locally.

These are the flowers that the butterflies are really attracted to in the first month of summer.

Monarchs start visiting the butterfly garden and I start raising admirals alongside them

Anterhynchium tamarinum is not known to be established in NZ, but I caught one.

You don't need to leave central Sydney to see beautiful butterflies. Just head for the royal botanic garden.

A couple of successful wasp trap lures plus loads that did not work. Plus a new wasp to contend with.

Blackbirds may have a lovely song, but they are decimating my seedlings.

November 2025 I have written about copper butterflies previously , and how I was planting muehlenbeckia, their host plant, despite the butterfly garden being over half a kilometre from the coast and perhaps not providing the right environment for copper butterflies. They are most likely to be found within sight of a beach (as are most New Zealanders, to be fair) but the inland sightings on iNaturalist gave me a little hope. I have three types of muehlenbeckia now, with two j

Yellow-legged hornets, Vespa velutina, have been found nearby and I try more traps and recipes for wasp capture

I make a barrel pond with New Zealand native pond plants and there are already visitors!

Killing wasps now saves butterflies. Find out the unusual place I found a paper wasp nest.

A carnivorous moth? I find an unassuming, at-risk species of moth in the garden and have my eyes opened.

Birkenhead's birdlife is flourishing. Each garden has something to offer, which makes for great birdwatching

Updating the actions on the project plan for the year ahead. The ultimate garden to-do list.

Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand (MBNZT) certification is given to best practice butterfly and moth habitats. How does Auckland Butterfly Garden stack up so far?

The planting of native shrubs and trees has taken months, but they help the garden become a better wildlife haven.

Flowering plants are going into the flower beds and borders, ready for spring. I also take a road trip to see a very special nursery.

All praying mantis eat butterflies, but South African mantis also eat New Zealand mantis. This means war.

Butterflies and moths seen this winter in the garden, including a rare newcomer to New Zealand, which triggered a biosecurity alert.