Aerial Operation On Today – Tuesday 22 April

The latest general aerial operation to wipe out the painted apple moth will get underway today. The eradication zone was reduced twice during March and now covers 8,100 hectares.

As it is school holidays, the usual ‘no flight times’ that cater for children travelling to and from school and eating their lunch, will not apply. The operation will continue throughout the day, for as long as weather permits.

Aerial operations combined with the release of sterile moths and the removal and control of vegetation are having a marked impact on the painted apple moth population. Trapping results throughout summer have shown significant reductions in painted apple moth numbers. In March last year, 996 male moths were trapped; just 9 male moths were caught this March.

The public can call the free phone 0800 96 96 96 or visit www.maf.govt.nz/painted-apple-moth for general information about the programme. People can also listen to Newstalk ZB (1080 AM), 531 pi (531 AM), Chinese Radio (AM 990) and Radio Korea (1386 AM) for updates.