Painted apple moth case study
An infestation of Painted apple moth in West Auckland, first detected in 1999, was declared eradicated in 2006 after a two-year monitoring period elapsed without further detections.
The problem: Voracious caterpillar, wide host range
The Painted apple moth, Teia anatoides (Walker), a native of Australia, is a potential pest of our gardens, crops, young pine forests, native bush, and the communities that depend on them. It is a voracious caterpillar with a wide host range, destroying plants by eating their leaves.
Significant economic risk
First detected in West Auckland in 1999, the potential economic impact of Painted apple moth was estimated at between $58 million to $356 million over 20 years if it became widely established – a figure which does not include the potential impacts on international market access or on New Zealand’s conservation estate.
The solution:
High profile project
The high-profile eradication project involved 69 separate aerial treatments of the infested area between 2002 and 2004. The $62.4 million eradication project was directed by Ian Gear, now director of In Gear Global.
Eleven organisations involved
This project wasn’t quite as simple as spraying the infested area and waiting. It was supported by a huge amount of science involving eleven separate government organisations.
Extensive health monitoring
The Environmental Impact Assessment determined that Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) could be used over populated areas. Health monitoring programmes were established for concerned residents. Extensive independent health monitoring reports were part of the continued research undertaken following the completion of aerial treatments.
Application of sterile insect technology
Sterile insect technology (SIT) allowed sterile moths to be released into the infested area to interrupt the breeding cycle, contributing to the collapse the Painted apple moth population.
Sophisticated analysis discriminated new arrivals
During the monitoring period, the application of forensic techniques was invaluable. DNA analysis and isotope testing of hydrogen and carbon molecules in the wing tissue of moths trapped during this period confirmed those moths were new arrivals rather than remnants of the West Auckland population. These tools will continue to be invaluable into the future, as no guarantees can be made that Painted apple moth will not continue to arrive.
The result:
On completion of aerial spraying in 2004, a two-year monitoring period with no further detections was required. Eradication was declared in 2006.
The problem: Voracious caterpillar, wide host range
The Painted apple moth, Teia anatoides (Walker), a native of Australia, is a potential pest of our gardens, crops, young pine forests, native bush, and the communities that depend on them. It is a voracious caterpillar with a wide host range, destroying plants by eating their leaves.
Significant economic risk
First detected in West Auckland in 1999, the potential economic impact of Painted apple moth was estimated at between $58 million to $356 million over 20 years if it became widely established – a figure which does not include the potential impacts on international market access or on New Zealand’s conservation estate.
The solution:
High profile project
The high-profile eradication project involved 69 separate aerial treatments of the infested area between 2002 and 2004. The $62.4 million eradication project was directed by Ian Gear, now director of In Gear Global.
Eleven organisations involved
This project wasn’t quite as simple as spraying the infested area and waiting. It was supported by a huge amount of science involving eleven separate government organisations.
Extensive health monitoring
The Environmental Impact Assessment determined that Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) could be used over populated areas. Health monitoring programmes were established for concerned residents. Extensive independent health monitoring reports were part of the continued research undertaken following the completion of aerial treatments.
Application of sterile insect technology
Sterile insect technology (SIT) allowed sterile moths to be released into the infested area to interrupt the breeding cycle, contributing to the collapse the Painted apple moth population.
Sophisticated analysis discriminated new arrivals
During the monitoring period, the application of forensic techniques was invaluable. DNA analysis and isotope testing of hydrogen and carbon molecules in the wing tissue of moths trapped during this period confirmed those moths were new arrivals rather than remnants of the West Auckland population. These tools will continue to be invaluable into the future, as no guarantees can be made that Painted apple moth will not continue to arrive.
The result:
On completion of aerial spraying in 2004, a two-year monitoring period with no further detections was required. Eradication was declared in 2006.
