Since the industrial revolution large amounts of insecticides have been used in the control of insects with stronger chemical controls being needed to be developed as insects have caught up and become resistant to the insecticides. New Zealand has been a world leader in the use of bio-controls as a small isolated island nation with many pest species of insects and plants being introduced since humans arrived on NZ's shores. As a nation which relies on exports of dairy, meat and fruit as a major source of income, our boarders need to be effectively managed so the worst pests do no arrive here.


From the 1960's to the 1980's the light brown apple moth was an economically important pest within the fruit sector. After developing resistance to broad-spectrum insecticides, research began to focus on biological controls and native enemies were introduced from Australia in the late 1960's. By the 1990's this resulted in decreased damage to the fruit sector. and today the light brown apple moth is successfully managed by the use of IPM (integrated pest management).

In recent years the light brown apple moth has been found in California, USA and has effected trade and export of produce. In California the light brown apple moth is affecting the same products as it did in New Zealand (apples, pears and berry fruits). In NZ growers are able to use a combination of selective pesticides and natural controls to keep the damage under 2% and meet the export standards of 60 countries. Acomplex program of native and introduced species is used in NZ which attacks all life stages of the light brown apple moth. Californian growers could benefit greatly from the experience NZ growers have gained from this pest. As chemical uses are not the best solution as they can damage both pests and beneficial species.

Varela, L., Walker, J., Lo, P., Rogers, D. () New Zealand lessons may aid efforts to control light brown apple moth in California. California agriculture. 64: 6-12.