The story of the painted apple moths

Forest and Bird, Issue 307, 1 February 2003, Page 35

The story of the painted apple moths

n observant member of the public, and a Forest and Bird executive member, were the key folk in finding a serious painted apple moth incursion in Auckland. The moth threatens gardens, commercial and native forests, and is costing many millions in an attempt at eradication. Entomologist Dr Peter Maddison, who is also a member of the Forest and Bird national executive, was phoned one day by a woman who had found strangelooking hairy caterpillars. ‘| was quite busy at the time so | didn’t immediately respond,’ Peter Maddison said. ‘Two days later she rang me back to say that she had lots of strangelooking hairy caterpillars. So | paid her a visit.’ When he arrived he saw large numbers of caterpillars. They had eaten all the leaves on wattles. He recognised it as painted apple moth and immediately rang the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Then he

went to the Landcare Research insect collection at Mt Albert and confirmed his find. ‘Unless we want an environmental and economic disaster on the scale of the introduction of possums into New Zealand, we cannot afford to sit on our hands and do nothing about painted apple moth,’ says Dr Maddison. ‘It is already reported to attack kowhai and karaka trees, as well as many fruit trees, young pine trees and garden ornamentals such as roses.’ Forest and Bird supports targeted aerial spraying of painted apple moth in

Auckland because of the threat it poses to native forests. Peter Maddison urges people to be vigilant. ‘If you see a strange plant or animal, do ring the Protect New Zealand hotline. Your eyes are one of nature’s best defences against the establishment of new insect pests.’ He also urges people not to worry if they find something that is not a pest. ‘It's better to be safe than sorry’. To report suspected exotic pests and diseases in plants or animals phone 0800 809 966.