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Why it is a pest plant
Moth plant (Araujia sericifera) is a fast growing vine that can rapidly smother and replace native vegetation. It invades disturbed or low-canopy forest, forest margins and coastal areas. It is also a problem in urban reserves and gardens where it can quickly become dominant.
The plant spreads mainly by windborne seeds. When the fruit dries out and splits open it releases large numbers of seeds attached to silky threads. Look out for them during summer and autumn. Moth plant seeds are poisonous and the sap irritates some people’s skin.
Introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental species during the 1880s, moth plant is a ‘containment pest’ in the Waikato region, requiring the removal of all plants (total control).
This vine has the potential to become one of the Waikato region’s most serious weeds.
How to recognise moth plant
Moth plants look different with age. Young slender vines have large arrowhead-shaped leaves, arranged in opposite pairs. As the plant matures, the leaves become thick and nearly oblong in shape with wavy margins. The vine also becomes woody and starts to branch extensively. Moth plant grows from a short taproot and other weak shallow roots. It prefers loose, fertile soils in warm, wet areas.
Identifying features
- Evergreen climbing vine up to six metres high.
- Leaves are dark green on the upper side, greyish-green on the underside.
- Cluster of small cream to pink tubular shaped flowers between December and May.
- Large choko-like fruit containing seeds attached to silky threads.
- Milk-like sap.
Responsibility for control
All landowners/occupiers are responsible for controlling moth plant on their property and are required to work with Environment Waikato in areas where control programmes are in place. Moth plant is also banned from sale, propagation, distribution or commercial display.
How to control moth plant
Make sure you wear gloves, as the sap can irritate the skin.
Physical control
Best results are achieved between December and February before pods are produced.
- Pull out seedlings. Hoe or dig out mature plants, removing as many roots as possible.
- Leave any detached vines in host tree to wither and die.
- Remove any seed pods and bury deeply or take to a refuse transfer station to prevent further spread. Do not burn the pods.
- Revisit site after three to five days when missed plants will be obvious. Dig out any remaining vines.
Herbicide control
Gather all seed pods before using herbicide and bury them deeply. Do not burn them.
Cut vine treatment (for smaller infestations):
Cut stems 20 centimetres above the ground, then coat the stem and hanging ends liberally with herbicide. Use a squeeze bottle to avoid splashes and a dye to keep track of stumps.
Overall spray application (for larger infestations):
Spray the plant and totally cover leaf surfaces with herbicide. Apply the herbicide carefully to avoid serious damage to other desirable plants. Spray from spring to autumn for best results.
Summary of herbicides and application methods for control
When using herbicides:
- read the instructions on the manufacturer’s label closely
- always wear protective clothing
- always minimise the risk to desirable plants
- contact the supplier for further advice.
| Herbicide |
Application |
Method |
| Vigilant® |
Direct application |
Apply gel directly to 30-50 cm of stem (don’t cut vines as latex (sap) repels Vigilant®) |
| Roundup® Renew |
Cut vine treatment |
1 part / 5 parts water |
| Banvine® |
Cut vine treatment |
200 ml / litre of water |
| |
Knapsack application |
120 ml / 10 litres of water |
| Escort® |
Knapsack application |
5 grams / 10 litres of water, plus 10 ml ‘Input’ as penetrant |
| |
Handgun application |
35 grams / 100 litres of water, plus 100 ml ‘Input’ as penetrant |
| Grazon® |
Knapsack application |
60 ml / 10 litres water |
| |
Handgun application |
300 ml / 100 litres water |
| Tordon® Brushkiller |
Cut vine treatment |
100 ml / litre of water |
| |
Spray application |
30 ml /10 litres of water |
| Versatill® |
Spray application |
10 ml / litre of water plus ‘Pulse’ as penetrant |
Follow-up management
After initial control it’s important to:
- re-visit the site at least annually to control regrowth
- replant with desireable plants (preferably natives) once regrowth is no longer a problem, to stop other weeds invading.
More information
For further advice contact your local biosecurity pest plant contractor on 0800 BIOSECURITY (0800 246732).
For more information on what we do phone environment Waikato's freephone 0800 800 401.
For more information on pest plants check out the Weedbusters website.
Related publications
View our Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy.
'What makes a pest a pest? - A guide to Waikatos pest management future' for free from our offices. Pick up, download (730 kb, 104 seconds to download, 56k modem) or order.
Pick up or order 'Plant me instead - Plants to use in place of common pest plants' for free from our offices.
Pick up or order the 'National Pest Plant Accord Manual' for $10 from our offices, or view it online for free.
Pick up or order 'Poisonous plants and fungi in New Zealand - A guide for parents, schools and child minders' for $15 from our offices.
Disclaimer
Although this content has been prepared in good faith from a number of sources believed to be reliable, Environment Waikato does not give any warranty that all information contained is accurate or complete, or that advice given will be appropriate in all circumstances. Mention of product trade names implies neither endorsement of those products nor criticisms of similar products not mentioned.