CATERPILLARS ACTIVE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 15

CATERPILLARS ACTIVE

CROP ATTACKED AT DROMOKB

About 12 acres of a thriving crop of wheat were consumed by caterpillars on the farm of Mr O. R. Blackler, Dromore, during the last two days, and the quick action of Mr Blackler yesterday morning in ploughing several deep furrows through the crop checked the activities of the pests, which threatened to destroy most of the crop of 70 acres in two paddocks. The caterpillars first made their appearance in an adjoining paddock of twitch and rough, dry grass owned by the Ashburton County Council, and large numbers made their way through gaps in the gorse fence on Monday, but during the heat yesterday morning large hordes swarmed through the fence and proceeded through the crop, most of which was eaten off at the ground, while many stems were stripped of the flag. Large patches, some an acre m area, were eaten out of the crop, which was not attacked in a face. Numbers of the stronger caterpillars could be traced out in the centre of the crop, where they had retired under stones and clods of earth after having satisfied themselves on the tender flag of the wheat. The effect of the furrows as a means of checking their progress was demonstrated by the large number that were trapped in the bottom of the furrow. An aspect of the caterpillar pest, which is causing some concern, is the large number of young caterpillars which are making their appearance, and are particularly noticeable on making a close examination of the grass paddocks. Yesterday afternoon the staff of the county council burntMlrebreaks on the eastern side of the reserve where the caterpillars were first located, preparatory to running a fire through the rank, dry grass this morning. Even on the small area which was burnt yesterday hundreds of dead caterpillars were to be found.