The second operation of targeted aerial spraying against the painted apple moth in some west Auckland suburbs, Traherne
Island and the Avondale Peninsula has been postponed until tomorrow morning – because of the weather.
Drizzle patches and showers are expected this morning and the weather for tomorrow at this stage is also uncertain. The
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will make a decision whether to go ahead tomorrow at 4am and advise its call centre
on 0800 96 96 96.
The painted apple moth, a native of Australia, was found in Glendene two years ago and MAF has been tackling the pest
with ground spraying and the removal of host plants. The targeted aerial spraying will boost that programme and is aimed
at hard-to-reach areas such as steep terrain, gullies and tall trees.
Some properties will be ground and aerial sprayed because they are in an infested area or because of mixed terrain.
The aerial spraying target zone includes about 3,000 west Auckland residential and industrial properties along the Whau
River and its tributaries and the Avondale Peninsula. The Waikumete Cemetery and Traherne Island, which runs alongside
the northwestern motorway, is also in the target zone.
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