There have now been 12 sightings of the crop-killing fall armyworm across the North Island.
Photo: SUPPLIED/ MPI
An egg mass of the moth, which can destroy crops, was found in Tauranga in March - prompting a biosecurity response.
Since then, Biosecurity New Zealand has received another 11 reports of the pest being discovered in Waikato, Taranaki, South Auckland and Gisborne.
Biosecurity NZ readiness and response director John Walsh is urging growers to check for signs of it, particularly on volunteer maize and corn plants (self-sown plants that pop-up after a harvest).
"We've had a great response so far from those asked to check their crops, with more than 96 reports to Biosecurity New Zealand's pests and diseases hotline," he said.
"Biosecurity New Zealand has had people on the ground checking paddocks in areas where we've found the pest, talking to growers and collecting samples, and staff will be available for ongoing support as required."
Walsh also encouraged farmers and growers at the top of the South Island to keep an eye out for the pest, despite the lower chances of it being found in colder climates.
Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) operations manager Ivan Lawrie said he was not surprised at the number of reports, as the pest had been on its radar for some time.
He said scientists would be watching closely to see if the fall armyworm survives the winter, as it could pose a threat to crops this summer.
"It isn't a worry at this time of the year, in terms of the peril that it might put our crops under, because the main hosts for this past are crops such as maize, and sweet corn, although it will go for other warm climate species that it might thrive on as well," he said.
"So at this time of the year, we're heading into winter and this is the time of the year where the larvae will probably end up going under to try and survive winter."
Lawrie said it would be watching closely to see if the pest survived the winter however, as it could pose a threat to crops this summer.
He encouraged anyone who spotted a fall armyworm to call Biosecurity New Zealand's Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online.
Alternatively, you can report via Find-A-Pest.
