Guava moth
Dear Neighbours
Regrettably, the dreaded guava moth has become a permanent curse. If you have fruit trees on your property, you'll find the fruit (especially stone fruit like plums, peaches, etc) uneatable. The guava moth will even have a go at citrus.
You'll see a tiny pinhole bored into your fruit where the guava moth has laid its egg. The egg hatches into a grub, about one centimetre long, which destroys the interior of the fruit.
There is no adequate spray to combat this pest (introduced from Australia in recent years and gradually working its way down the North Island, having reached Hamilton so far). Nurseries recommend neem oil but unless you achieve total coverage of the fruit, it does not protect it.
The guava moth spells the end of the backyard orchard. Commercially, when it reaches the Bay of Plenty, it will be devastating to our economy. It has already caused orchardists in the north to remove their feijoas and some people are cutting down their plum trees.
There is one thing we can do to limit this evil pest. Please, please pick up windfall fruit and seal it in a plastic bag before throwing it in the rubbish. A bread bag will do the job nicely. Do not compost this fallen fruit as the grubs will still emerge, pupate and develop into new moths to continue their devastating work.
If you put the fruit into a bucket of water overnight, you will see the grubs when they emerge and they can be tipped down the sink. By destroying what we can of these pests, we can limit the effect of the next generation.
You will find that the fruit which drops off the tree early, with a smudge of ripeness on one side, is fruit already attacked by the guava moth which is in a hurry to emerge and find a convenient place to form its cocoon (from whence it will emerge as a new moth).
The only effective way I know of to limit this pest is the sealed plastic bag method. In this way, we reduce second generation numbers. Please give it a go.
Many thanks, David H.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.2% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.3% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.5% Nah - not for me
Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
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