The

gypsy moth ''Lymantria dispar'', also known as the gypsy moth or the spongy moth, is a species of moth in the family Erebidae. ''Lymantria dispar'' is subdivided into several subspecies, with subspecies such as ''L. d. dispar'' and ''L. d. japonica'' bei ...

, an invasive species from Eurasia, was discovered in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

. The gypsy moth has potentially disastrous effects on New Zealand agriculture; an intensive eradication programme was planned and undertaken, and the moth did not become established. Gypsy moth eggs are frequently found during border

biosecurity Biosecurity refers to measures aimed at preventing the introduction and/or spread of harmful organisms (e.g. viruses, bacteria, etc.) to animals and plants in order to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious disease. In agriculture, thes ...

checks, commonly on used vehicles, and were first discovered in the 1990s.

2003 Hamilton Gypsy Moth spray

In 2003 a live adult moth in viable condition was found in an early warning

pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavio ...

trap in the North Island city of

Hamilton Hamilton may refer to: People * Hamilton (name), a common British surname and occasional given name, usually of Scottish origin, including a list of persons with the surname ** The Duke of Hamilton, the premier peer of Scotland ** Lord Hamilt ...

. Since Hamilton is an entry point for a large amount of international air freight it was presumed that the moth had entered New Zealand in an aircraft. An aerial pesticide spraying programme by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry using the Foray 48B insecticide was carried out over the city from October 2003. Health concerns were raised, but a report to the Ministry of Health concluded that there were no grounds for the concerns. In 2004, The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry declined Hamilton's Fraser High School's compensation claim for the cost of relief teachers to cover staff absences during the operation.Fraser High School compensation claim assessed
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2003 Hamilton Gypsy Moth spray

See also

References

Further reading