Pest

Harm Caused

How Common

Difficulty of Control

Total

Aphids

Transmit disease to plants, stress plants.
(Score 7)

Very common, numerous.
(Score 8)

Rapid breeding requires constant vigilance.
(Score 7)

22

Scale InsectsandMealybugs

Transmit disease to plants, stress plants.
(Score 8)

Common.
(Score 5)

Difficult to control due to the protective coating on sedentary adults.
(Score 9)

22

Thrips

Transmit disease to plants, stress plants.
(Score 7)

Very common, numerous.
(Score 8)

Rapid breeding requires constant vigilance.
(Score 7)

22

Mites

Damage and stress plants.
(Score 8)

Common.
(Score 4)

Very thorough treatment required.
(Score 9)

21

Psyllids

Transmit disease to plants, stress plants.
(Score 8)

Common.
(Score 6)

Difficult to prevent disease transmission and damage.
(Score 7)

21

Whitefly

Damage and stress plants.
(Score 7)

Common in greenhouses and houseplants.
(Score 6)

Can be very difficult to control if conditions suit the whitefly.
(Score 8)

21

Ants

Farm and protect sap-sucking insect pests.
(Score 5)

Very common, numerous.
(Score 8)

Requires combined approach.
(Score 7)

20

Rodents

Transmit disease, damage seeds and seedlings, harm NZ environment, fear.
(Score 8)

Very common.
(Score 8)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 4)

20

Slugs/snails

Damage and stress plants.
(Score 7)

Common
(Score 5)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 7)

19

Plant Hoppers

Damage and stress plants.
(Score 7)

Common.
(Score 5)

Can be hard to control.
(Score 7)

19

Carrot Rust Fly

Damages root vegetables.
(Score 7)

Un-common.
(Score 4)

Difficult to control. Requires prevention.
(Score 8)

19

Codling Moth

Damage apple fruit.
(Score 5)

Common.
(Score 5)

Difficult to prevent damage to fruit.
(Score 9)

19

Caterpillars

Damage plants.
(Score 7)

Very Common.
(Score 7)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 4)

18

Rabbits

Eat seedlings and ring bark young trees.
(Score 7)

Common in rural areas.
(Score 5)

Can be difficult to control if not on own property.
(Score 6)

18

Wasps

Sting, harm NZ environment, a nuisance.
(Score 5)

Common (seasonal).
(Score 7)

Relatively easy if nests are found.
(Score 5)

17

Chewing Insects*

Damage plants.
(Score 5)

Very Common.
(Score 7)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 5)

17

Grass Grub

Damage to grass and other plant roots.
(Score 6)

Common.
(Score 5)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 5)

16

Possums

Eat roses, fruit and damage shoots of garden plants.
(Score 5)

Common in rural areas.
(Score 5)

Can be difficult to control if not on own property.
(Score 6)

16

Shield/Stink Bugs

Damage and stress plants.
(Score 7)

Un-common.
(Score 4)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 5)

16

Porina Caterpillar

Damage lawns.
(Score 5)

Common.
(Score 5)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 5)

15

Lemon Tree Borer

Damage citrus trees and others.
(Score 5)

Common.
(Score 5)

Relatively easy to control.
(Score 5)

15