Gypsy Moth Aerial Operation in Hamilton CANCELLED Today – Friday 31 October.

Unsuitable weather conditions mean the fourth aerial treatment against gypsy moth in Hamilton is CANCELLED again today (Fri 31 Oct).

The operation was scheduled to get underway on Wednesday 29 October, but was cancelled due to windy conditions and rescheduled for this morning. The weather is once again unsuitable for undertaking the operation.

Weather permitting the operation will get underway on the first day that weather permits. “Once again it is disappointing not to have been able to undertake the operation,” said Robert Isbister, General Manager of the Gypsy Moth Programme.

“However, delays such as this are unavoidable at this time of year with unsettled weather conditions prevalent, but people can always make use of the information available online, via the 0800 number and on the radio, to keep themselves fully informed about what’s going on.”

The aerial operation is one way that MAF is combating the gypsy moth in Hamilton. The programme has been prepared by a team of experts based on information gathered from the male moth found in Hamilton in March of this year and from knowledge of how the pest behaves overseas.

Aerial application of Foray 48B was used successfully against the white spotted tussock moth in Auckland’s eastern suburbs between 1996 and 1997 and is currently proving to be effective against the painted apple moth in Auckland’s western suburbs.

The eight-operation campaign is scheduled to finish by mid-December.

MAF is also undertaking trapping, ground searching and treatment and vegetation control. This combination is considered the best way to successfully eradicate gypsy moth.

The public can find information about the progress of the campaign by listening to Classic Hits (98.6 FM), Newstalk ZB (1296 AM & 97 FM) and ZM 89.8 (89.8 FM) throughout the day. This information will also be available online at www.maf.govt.nz/gypsy-moth and via the Gypsy Moth Information Line 0800 96 96 96.

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