INSECT PEST CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 158, 22 September 1941, Page 5

INSECT PEST CONTROL

RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

ATTACK BY PARASITES

Some insects of special interest were received by the entomological service of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research during the past year, and the annual report of the director of the division, Dr D. Miller, refers to them.

One was a small moth introduced as a likely pest to Avhite clover. It had been recorded as damaging clover in Denmark, and appeared in large numbers in some of the clover crops in the Hastings and North Auckland areas. A grasshopper appearing in large numbers in midCanterbury severely damaged turnip and rape crops, and an army worm did considerable damage in maize aeras of Hawke's Bay.

Two stored-product beetles were heavily infesting a shipment of imported copra, and a weevil from Niue Island had bananas as its host. Cutworms were recorded as having attacked linen flax and hemp.

Hopes are expressed that results from investigations and trials into diamond-back moth parasites will be far-reaching, and as. time goes on the position .appears to be more hopeful. As parasites become thoroughly established throughout New Zealand the effect on the population of the diamond-back moth should be conspicuous.

White butterfly parasites were known to be effecting a good control of the pest, but it was felt that the introduction of further species of parasites should be undertaken, and it was hoped to secure additional supplies of two parasites for the coming season.