Apple moth harms humans

The painted apple moth is not only a threat to New Zealand's native flora and fauna, it also harms humans, a national biosecurity conference has been told.

Robert Abista, of AgriQuality, has been working on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's painted apple moth project since last August.

Mr Abista told the Biosecurity Institute's national seminar in Nelson that hairs shed by the caterpillars could cause severe conjunctivitis and skin allergies.