Protecting New Zealand's Native Forests From Painted Apple Moth (PAM)

Is PAM a Problem?

Painted apple moth (PAM) is an insect equivalent of the possum and eats over 18 species of native tree, including kowhai, kauri and karaka. PAM has the potential to seriously damage New Zealand's native forests.


(Left) Native forests like this could be ravaged if PAM spreads	(Right) United States forest defoliated by the gypsy moth that is related to the painted apple moth. New Zealand forests could look like this if PAM becomes established

Is Eradication Working?

Yes. Only 30 male moths were caught in traps in January 2003 compared to January 2002 when 1300 male moths were caught. Moth numbers have been significantly reduced.


(Left) Vulnerable New Zealand rain forest	(Right) The hairs on the painted apple moth are poisonous and cause illness in people

So What's The Problem?

Waitakere City Council has been considering taking legal action to halt the eradication programme. If successful, this will have a serious impact on New Zealand's chances of eradicating the moth.

Forest and Bird acknowledges that West Aucklanders are in the front line of this eradication programme and thanks the vast majority of West Aucklanders who accept that the eradication programme is necessary to prevent a catastrophe in New Zealand's native forests. Your support is an example to other New Zealanders.

Forest and Bird supports the calls of local people to make the contents of the spray public and believes that the government should give local people the support that they need to cope with the eradication programme.

More information on this site

Find out more about the trees that PAM eats

This page was updated on 4 May, 2005