An introduced species, probably from southeasten Asia, that is widespread in most tropical lands and islands. Present in northern New Zealand for many years (since ca 1920's), and now also in Nelson area. It is very tolerant of modified habitats and, in the north, it is often abundant in well watered gardens, garden centres, horticultural sites, parks and similar. It has invaded modified native shrublands and heavily milled forests. Several thousand appeared in one pittrap in the Kaiangaroa Pinus plantations. Further south in NZ, in Europe and USA it is often in hothouses.