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NATIVE CATERPILLAR OUTBREAK IN THE REEFTON AREA
From Ensis publication Forest Health News No. 49, February 1996

An outbreak of the native moth Epichorista emphares was observed defoliating hard beech in forests south of Reefton on the South Island's westcoast. Caterpillars of the moth had caused substantial damage to the new flush by early December 1995, resulting in a scorched appearance. Many of the affected trees had only just regained full crowns after bag moth defoliation several years earlier. (Paid Bradbury, MOF, Christchurch)