Moth pest trapped outside spray zone

By NATASHA HARRIS

A lone painted apple moth has been trapped in Mt Eden by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which has not ruled out aerial spraying.

It is the first time a moth has been caught in eight months and the first time a moth has been found outside West Auckland's spray area for nearly a year.

The moth was trapped near railway lines on Friday.

The general manager of the painted apple moth programme, Robert Isbister, said the catch was disappointing but he believed it did not pose a problem.

"Our scientific and technical experts predicted that there would be some random finds during the programme, so in light of this advice this latest trap catch is no surprise," he said.

MAF had intensified trapping by adding an extra 64 traps around the area of the new find, he said.

Staff would check the traps twice a week for the next two weeks and if more moths were found a ground survey would be completed and then a possible aerial spray.

Mr Isbister said it was "speculative" to say if aerial spraying would be done, but "we can't rule it out".

Overall, trap catch numbers had continued to drop significantly, he said.

In January 2002, 1784 moths were caught, a year later 48, and now one.

"We're still very positive about the programme and we think it's done exceedingly well," he said.

Hundreds of "precautionary" traps were set outside the spray zone, Mr Isbister said.

MAF's scientific advisory group - a team of New Zealand specialists and international experts - will meet next month for a review of the painted apple moth programme and to make recommendations.

At least two years of zero trap catches are required to declare an area free of painted apple moth.

Spraying continues in West Auckland next Thursday, weather permitting.

Moth campaign

NOVEMBER 2003: Spraying continues over summer.

MAY 2003: Long period in which no moths found.

APRIL 2003: Total cost $90 million as schoolchildren report effects.

JULY 2002: Government expands spray zone - total cost $23 million.

JUNE 2002: Moths found outside spray zone.

JANUARY 2002: Spraying starts after weather delays - cost $11 million.

NOVEMBER 2001: Spray campaign delayed a month.

JUNE 2001: An aerial spraying campaign is mooted - cost $5 million.

MAY 1999: The moth is thought to be worse than the tussock moth, which cost $12 million to kill.

OCTOBER 1999: MAF says the moth caterpillar has been in Auckland for a year.

MAY 1999: The moth caterpillar is found in Glendene, West Auckland.