International Journal of Pest Management (2003) 49, 17-24

G. Hosking, J. Clearwater, J. Handiside, M. Kay, J. Ray and N. Simmons (2003)
Tussock moth eradication - a success story from New Zealand
International Journal of Pest Management 49 (1), 17-24
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.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Orgyia thyellina		New Zealand	Yes
Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (entomopathogen)	Orgyia thyellina		New Zealand