Tussock moth eradication - a success story from New Zealand

Abstract

Between 1996 and 1998 an eradication programme was undertaken in Auckland's eastern suburbs against the newly established lymantriid moth, Orgyia thyellina. The operation involved the aerial application of Btk over 4000 hectares of suburban Auckland and ground spraying of all known infested sites. Key components of the programme were: accurate definition of the infested area, quarantine action to prevent further spread, aerial and ground application of Btk, intensive monitoring using live female moths and a synthetic pheromone, strong science input to every facet of the programme, and a major communications initiative. Orgyia thyellina was declared eradicated in June 1998 and has not reappeared since then. Operation Ever Green, as the programme was named, was the first ever successful eradication of a forest pest established in an urban area, worldwide. Keywords: Orgyia ThyellinaWhite Spotted Tussock MothPest EradicationBtk