Frequently asked questions by painted apple moth zone residents

This document answers frequently asked questions about operation wipe out painted apple moth and its vegetation control zone and aerial operations. For information about the painted apple moth itself, see MAF's answers to frequently asked questions about the painted apple moth.

About the painted apple moth

Operation wipe out painted apple moth

Vegetation control zone

Aerial operations

More information

What is the painted apple moth?

The painted apple moth (Teia anartoides) is a native Australian pest accidentally introduced to New Zealand. The moth is a minor pest in Australia but poses a more serious threat to our gardens, crops, forests, native bush, and the communities that depend on them.

Where can I get more information about the painted apple moth?

For more information about the painted apple moth, identifying it, its habits, and its threat to New Zealand, see MAF’s answers to frequently asked questions about the painted apple moth.

How can I help wipe out the painted apple moth?

Residents have an important role in the fight to wipe out the painted apple moth. There are three things that residents can do:

  • Keep an eye out for painted apple moths in your garden, in parks, and on your dog after walking through parks.
  • Notify MAF immediately of any painted apple moths you find (see below for more information).
  • Don't move garden waste out of the vegetation control zone to help prevent the pest from spreading (see below for more information).

Refer to MAF’s answers to frequently asked questions about the painted apple moth for a guide to identifying the painted apple moth.

How do I notify MAF if I find a painted apple moth?

If you find a painted apple moth, contact the painted apple moth information line immediately:

Refer to MAF’s answers to frequently asked questions about the painted apple moth for a guide to identifying the painted apple moth.

What is being done to monitor the success of the programme?

MAF has an extensive monitoring programme to keep track of the painted apple moth.

  • Every week MAF conducts a ground survey of known infestations.
  • MAF frequently monitors traps set in and around the painted apple moth zone. The traps use live female moths as bait to catch male moths so that their breeding cycles can be monitored. The number of traps ranges from 100 in winter to 1,000 in spring and summer (when male moths are more active).
  • Every 7-8 weeks MAF conducts a detailed ground survey of thousands of western Auckland properties over a wide area in and around the painted apple moth zone. Surveyors search for egg masses, pupae, and caterpillar lifestages of the painted apple moth. Infestations are sprayed from the ground when found and plants which the pest is likely to feed on are often removed.

See the painted apple moth trap catches page to view the latest trap catch figures online.

Why is it taking so long to wipe it out?

Wiping out a pest like the painted apple moth takes time. It took three years to wipe out the white spotted tussock moth after it was discovered in Auckland in 1996. MAF has taken a less aggressive approach to the painted apple moth because it spreads more slowly and it was worth trying alternatives to aerial spraying first. Even so, MAF has successfully contained the painted apple moth to western Auckland and is on track to wipe it out.

What and where is the vegetation control zone?

MAF has established a vegetation control zone under the Biosecurity Act to limit the spread of the painted apple moth. The pest can be easily spread by moving plants they are living in so the vegetation control zone establishes a containment area that vegetation cannot be moved out of.

The vegetation control zone extends beyond areas where painted apple moths have been found and beyond the area covered by aerial operations.

A map of the vegetation control zone is now available:

  • Map of vegetation control zone - small GIF
  • Map of vegetation control zone - large JPG

 

Please contact the painted apple moth information line for more information.

Violating the vegetation control zone is an offence under the Biosecurity Act carrying a penalty of up to 3 months imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000. For a corporation the penalty is a fine of up to $100,000.

What should I do if I live in or near the vegetation control zone?

Don’t take plants or garden waste - including trees, branches, shrubs, and flowers - outside the vegetation control zone. If you need to dispose of garden waste, you must take it to one of the two approved garden waste dumps, and remember to be sure to cover infested vegetation when transporting it.

Residents wanting more information on the vegetation control zone should contact the painted apple moth information line.

Are there any alternatives to the vegetation control zone?

The vegetation control zone is an effective way to stop the spread of the painted apple moth because the pest can easily be spread by moving the plants it is living in. Simply removing all known hosts (plants the moth is known to eat or live in) wouldn't work because the pest would move to new hosts. The moth has quickly adapted to several native and introduced plants common in New Zealand and it is likely that it will adapt to many more.

Where should I take garden waste from the vegetation control zone?

All garden waste from within the vegetation control zone must be disposed of at either of these two facilities:

  • Living Earth Refuse Transfer Facilities, 2 Rosebank Road, Avondale.
  • Waitakere City Council Refuse Transfer Station, 20 Concourse Road, Henderson.

Remember that violating the vegetation control zone is an offence under the Biosecurity Act carrying a penalty of up to 3 months imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000. For a corporation the penalty is a fine of up to $100,000.

What is involved in aerial operations?

A key part of the campaign to wipe out the painted apple moth is aerial spraying using the same spray that was used to successfully wipe out the white spotted tussock moth in east Auckland.

The spray used is Foray 48B, which is based on a naturally-occurring bacteria called Btk. Btk kills painted apple moth caterpillars that eat leaves that have been sprayed. It is used around the world for 40 years to control moth and butterfly pests and has been used by organic growers in New Zealand since 1984.

An environmental impact report was prepared in 1996 when Foray 48B was used to eradicate the white spotted tussock moth. The report concluded that it is unlikely to have any long-term adverse effects on New Zealand’s soils, waters, plants, food sources, mammals, birds, and fish. A publicly available independent health risk assessment carried out by the Auckland District Health Board in 2002 concluded that Foray 48B has never been implicated in any significant health effects on humans in 35 years of use.

Residents wanting more information on aerial operations can subscribe to an email mailing list or contact the painted apple moth information line.

Are there any viable alternatives to aerial operations?

Aerial spraying is the only reliable way to reach larvae high in the canopies of hard-to-reach trees. MAF has investigated alternatives to aerial spraying but, unfortunately, none of them are viable. Two most frequently mentioned alternatives are ground spraying and host removal. (Hosts are plants that the painted apple moth eats or lives in.) Unfortunately neither are as effective as aerial spraying. Ground spraying doesn’t reach larvae high in canopies. Removing hosts wouldn’t work either because the pest would simply move to new hosts. The moth has quickly adapted to several native and introduced plants common in New Zealand and it is likely that it will adapt to many more.

What parts of Auckland are covered by aerial operations?

Maps

  • Map of reduced eradication zone - small JPG
  • Map of reduced eradication zone - large JPG

Where can residents get more information?

Residents wanting more information on aerial operations can subscribe to an email mailing list or contact the painted apple moth information line.

Page last updated: 19 August 2008