Abstract T. anartoides, widely known as the painted apple moth (PAM), is native to south-eastern Australia where it is a common pest on urban garden plants. It attacks a wide range of crop plants and could be a significant threat to the horticultural industry. It was detected in Glendene, Auckland, New Zealand in April 1999 and it was the target of an eradication programme from 1999-2006. Aerial spraying of the insecticidal pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) began in January 2002 and a total of up to 12,000 ha was treated during 40 aerial applications and the sterile insect technique was also used.