Hamilton moth quest difficult

A search for caterpillar-chewed foliage across western Hamilton in two weeks will be like looking for a needle in a haystack, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry officials have admitted.

But an unsuccessful search for evidence of the suspected pest invader so far "just means we haven't found anything", a senior biosecurity official said.

Agriquality biosecurity director Robert Isbister said the survey would look for caterpillar-damaged foliage in the gypsy moth's favoured host trees.

The Maf aerial spray campaign against the moth has completed two of eight sprays. A third is scheduled for today. Maf began spraying again yesterday for the painted apple moth in Auckland.