Painted Apple Moth
Teia anartoides
Painted Apple Moth
This pest has been eradicated in New Zealand
It is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993
If you suspect you have found this pest in New Zealand call 0800 80 99 66 immediately.
Description
There are five distinct lifecycle stages for the Painted Apple Moth.
It is most distinctive when it is in its caterpillar stage as it is brightly coloured and hairy.
The Gum Leaf Skeletoniser is well established in the Auckland area and is often mistaken for the Painted Apple Moth. Older GLS caterpillars are distinctive by a 'hat' like formation on their head.
| Painted Apple Moth | Gum Leaf Skeletoniser |
|---|---|
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Impact
This pest poses a serious threat to New Zealand gardens, crops, forests, native bush and the communities that depend on them.
Painted Apple Moth: Reassessment of potential economic impacts 
(254 KB)
Potential economic impact on New Zealand of the Painted Apple Moth (68 KB)
In New Zealand Painted Apple Moth has been found to feed on a wide range of trees.
Some people may also be allergic to the hairs on the caterpillars.
Spread
The Painted Apple Moth is native to Australia and was first found in May 1999 in Glendene, Auckland, then was discovered to be in neighbouring suburbs.
- Map of reduced eradication zone - small [JPG 85k ]
- Map of reduced eradication zone - large [JPG 147k ]
The Painted Apple Moth was eradicated from Western Auckland in March 2006 after an extensive programme.
During routine surveillance male moths have been trapped in the Auckland area. These finds have been individual moths that have come from Australia.
Management
Biosecurity New Zealand continues to survey high risk areas for painted apple moth to ensure that any new individuals or populations are quickly discovered.
A number of options are available to control the painted apple moth when populations are small, therefore any suspected findings should be immediately reported to 0800 80 99 66.
The eradication programme in New Zealand used a biological insecticide based on Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk).
- Response to Ombudsmans report on PAM (49 KB)
- Questions and answers about the Ombudsmen Office investigation into moth spraying
- Environmental Impact Assessment of Aerial Spraying Btk in NZ for Painted Apple Moth
- Health risk assessment (2432 KB)
- Assessment of Health Effects of Aerial Spraying of Foray 48B (Including Assessment of Individual Inert Ingrediants (3372 KB)
- Clarification of issues raised in "Our Case Against Moth Spraying" (1004 KB)
- Painted Apple Moth Health Report (1567 KB)
- Painted Apple Moth Health Report Appendices (1724 KB)
- Painted apple moth overall report discussion (122 KB)
- Literature review (531 KB)
- Painted apple moth health risk assessment (2432 KB)
- Report to the Hamilton City council (530 KB)
- A comparison of presentation of householder concerns (1287 KB)
- AGM – PAM reports review comment by Dr D Read (22 KB)
- PAM peer reviewer statement (22 KB)
Media Releases
Updates
Useful Resources
- Ministry of Health related documents including Wellington School of Medicine Report and peer review comments
- Ministry of Health
- Landcare Research
Page last updated: 22 December 2008