The potential direct impacts on human health resulting from the establishment of the painted apple moth (Teia anartoides) in New Zealand.

Ecology and Health Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand. derraik@gmail.com

This article examined the available evidence on the potential adverse reactions to human health associated with exposure to the painted apple moth (Teia anartoides; Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). There seems to be no evidence of human health effects in the field, even though this species appears to be common in urban and suburban gardens in Australia. There are, however, rare accounts of laboratory exposure in that country and New Zealand. Allergic and toxic reactions following exposure to arthropods are common occurrences, and exposure to any insect setae may cause adverse reactions in susceptible people. Therefore, it is likely that some people would experience adverse reactions following exposure to the setae on Teia anartoides caterpillars, and the possibility that more sensitive persons could experience more severe reactions cannot be discarded. However, in contrast to previous claims, the direct impacts on human health as a result of the establishment of the painted apple moth in New Zealand would likely be minor.

PMID: 18670468 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]