Ants don't cause many problems in the Garden by themselves, but on occasions they will help protect pests like aphids.

Aphids are small sap sucking insects. As they feed they can spread diseases, weaken plants, and increase the risk of getting Sooty Mould.

A beautiful but common weed in the North Island

A disease that presents itself as weeping or oozing cankers, especially on stone fruit.

Giant and sometimes invasive members of the grass family

Basket fungus is a cage-like mushroom that appears in gardens in autumn and winter, but is actually harmless.

Unwanted plants with branched veins in the leaves (i.e. they don''t run parallel from the base to the tip).

Fungal disease that most commonly affects peaches and nectarines. Distinctive brown pustules form on the fruit as it to rot.

Fungal disease effecting buxus species (box hedging) causing brown leaves and bare patches.

Caterpillar is the common name given to the larvae of butterflies and moths. Many species are pests well known to gardeners.

Citrus mites are small sap-sucking insects that cause deformation in citrus leaves, flowers and fruit.

Codling Moth lay their eggs on pip fruit such as apples, pears and quince, as well as on walnuts. Upon hatching the larvae burrows into the fruit.

Prevent damping off while your seedling grow

Forms grey/white patches on the underside of leaves and dark patches on top.

Mainly affects tomatoes and potatoes. Initially spots surrounded by a yellow or green ring start to form. As it worsens the plant often starts to die off.

Feeding on both plants and pesky insects earwigs can be a mixed blessing in the garden

Bubbling, discolouration on young leaves or 'crystals' appearing under leaves may be due to Edema

Eugenia Psyllids are sapsuckers that cause the leaves of Eugenia and Syzygium species (Lillipillies) to curl up and bubble.

Frost damage happens in winter, and can affect a wide range of plants especially if it has been unseasonably cold.

A small gnat that is generally found around potted plants

A hardy weed with long spines and yellow, pea-like flowers.

Infesting lawn or pasture, the grass grubs feed on the roots can cause small yellow or dead patches to appear.

A small moth that lay their eggs onto a wide range of fruit and nuts. After hatching the larvae burrows into the fruit, causing it to spoil.

Hibiscus beetles are also known as sap beetles and can be found on other flowering plants too. They are known to chew holes in petals ruining flower displays.

Larvae of various insects. These pest burrow into the leaf making a distinctive pattern. The can be hard to kill as being inside the leaf helps protect them.

Lemon-tree larvae burrow into trees, causing trees to become riddled with small holes.

Though not a weed or harmful at all, lichen can be unsightly in some gardens.

Vigorous growing vine with wart aerial rhizomes or tubers

Small sap-sucking insects covered by pale thread or powder-like coatings. Can feed from the stems, leaves, and roots of a wide array of plants.

Commonly found in shaded, wet areas

Vigorous and invasive vine that produces poisonous fruit that look somewhat like the edible savoury fruit chokos

Stay vigilant!
If you suspect you have myrtle rust do not touch it!

Invasive weed with clover like leaves that forms little bulbs under the soil

Various different fungal and bacterial diseases cause spots to form on the fruit and/or leaves. Can cause defoliation and fruit to become inedible.

Both the adult and nymph are sap suckers that can harm the vigor of plants, help transmit diseases, and increase the chance of getting sooty mold.

Fungal disease commonly found on plums, peaches, and nectarines. Causes the leaves to curl and bubble.

Porina Caterpillars feed on lawns, pasture grass, and clover, causing bare patches and an increased incidence of flat weeds.

Infected plants develop a distinct white powdery film that covers the leaves of the plant. Commonly found on courgettes, and dahlias.

A potential threat

A soil borne fungi that causes the roots of various plants to rot. As the roots die off, whole branches, or even the entire tree or shrub, will start to die back.

Brown, black or purple spots with fringed edges to form on the leaves. Over time leaves will yellow and drop off.

Creates postules or markings on leaves that often looks like the rust that forms on iron. Sometimes cause leaves to become twisted.

Scale are small sap-sucking insects. They increase the chance of getting sooty mould and reduce the vigour of the plant.

Adults are bright green. They feed on a wide range of plants, including beans and tomatoes. At times they cause poor quality fruit and reduced yields.

Be on the look out!
If you spot this pest, don't kill it! Put it in a transparent container and notify MPI.

Slugs and Snails feed on a wide array of plant leaves. They tend to be active at night, so if you're not sure it's them check at night with a torch.

Sooty mould is a black soot like substance that grows on the sugary excretions of various sap-sucking insects.

Only just visible to the naked eye, spider mites chew on leaves causing them to become pale and speckled.

Thrips are small, slender insects that can causes leaves to discolour and become silvery or flowers to brown and fall off prematurely.

Feeding by psyllids causes the leaf edges on potatoes and tomatoes to upturn and go yellow or purple. Causes poor yield and reduces the quality of fruit and tubers.

Also known as Lemon scab that causes raised warty lesions to appear on fruit and leaves, leaves often curl up. Fruit is still edible, though less attractive.

Also known as Wandering Willy.
It's a quick growing invasive perennial that thrives in shady spots

Whiteflies are small sap sucking insects that reduce the vigour of the plant, help spread diseases, and increase the chance of sooty mould.

An extremely invasive, poisonous weed