Gypsy Moth Surveillance Programme
This programme was initiated in 1992, to provide assurance of New Zealand's freedom from gypsy moth, and early warning of gypsy moth incursions to facilitate eradication. There are currently four species of gypsy moths (Lymantrid moths) listed as regulated organisms for New Zealand.
Since the start of the 2004/05 season, this programme has been operated by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, with in-kind contribution from selected members of the public, who hosts the traps used in this programme on their properties. The actual cost of the programme (of about $300 000 per annum) is funded by a levy on each container or used vehicle that enters New Zealand, with a maximum chargeable rate of $1 per unit.
Gypsy moth surveillance occurs in New Zealand for a number of reasons. Firstly, New Zealand has significant trade relationships with countries infested with gypsy moth, and this provides a risk pathway for the moth to enter this country. Secondly, inspections of imported used vehicles and containers, the most common means of transporting gypsy moth egg masses internationally, are not 100% effective. The trade patterns and risks posed by Lymantrid moths are continuously evaluated by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, by risk analysis, awareness of overseas trends and directly from egg mass interceptions. To this end, MAF Biosecurtiy New Zealand funded development of molecular diagnostic tools specifically for Lymantrid moths. Armstrong et al. (2003) evaluated 151 egg masses intercepted during 2000-2002, and determined 82% of samples as L. dispar, confirming it is currently the Lymantrid most likely to reach New Zealand. This tool is currently being expanded to include more Australasian and Asian/Japanese Lymantrid moths.
The only gypsy moth detection in New Zealand to date occurred in Hamilton City in 2003, with eradication declared in May 2005. The detection highlighted areas for improvement in the surveillance programme, particularly in the area of trap placement guidelines, and targeting of important risk sites/pathways such as transitional facilities.
The 2004/05 season saw a gradual alignment of the programme towards transitional facilities and implementation of a coastal buffer for sites where there is a possibility of larvae ballooning from infested ships towards land. In 2005/06 the programme implemented the 'matrix' and grid cell system that provides the desired robust trap placement guidelines.
A commercially available pheromone (+)disparlure is deployed in sticky delta traps to detect male moths. Approximately 1,500 traps are set up and maintained from September to June of each year in grids. Primary targets are ports, particularly those having been visited by ships from the Russian Far East. (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Egg, larvae and adult gypsy moth
Figure 2. Gypsy moth trapping grid
How you can support the programme
The Gypsy Moth surveillance programme relies on property owners’ in-kind contributions to the programme. Property owners host the traps, allowing access to MAF approved personnel to service and check the traps at 2-weekly intervals, and also assist by reporting back to MAF if they suspect anything that may be compromising the integrity of the traps that are located in their property.
We sincerely thank the property owners who host the traps for this programme. If you are not currently hosting traps but are approached by MAF approved personnel to host them, we hope that you are able to assist. Please note that since these traps need to be located in specific places to ensure the surveillance grids are complete, your property would have to be in a suitable location to assist with hosting.
If you find suspect egg masses, caterpillars or moths, please call 0800 80 99 66.
Reference Publications
Armstrong, K. F., Mc Hugh, P. Chinn, W., Frampton, E. R. Walsh, P. J. 2003. Tussock Moth species arriving on imported used vehicles determined by DNA analysis. New Zealand Plant Protection, 56: 16-20.
Page last updated: 21 May 2008