A beetle with the potential to do severe damage to New Zealand plants and crops has been discovered in a park near the Auckland port.
The Hadda beetle was reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry by an entomologist. It was also found along Tamaki Dr and in the Auckland Domain.
The beetle looks similar to a ladybird and feeds on the foliage of crops such as potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines.
A spraying programme has been carried out at the Domain and Dove Meyer-Robinson Park in Parnell, and MAF says it has no concerns for human health.
RadioLIVE