WHITE BUTTERFLIES INCREASING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22335, 24 February 1938, Page 4

WHITE BUTTERFLIES INCREASING

DEEP CONCERN EXPRESSED BY FARMERS Deep concern is being felt by farmers throughout the province at the havoc wrought by white butterflies on rape, swede, and turnip crops, according to Mr R. G. Bishop, who. at the monthly meeting of the North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday, expressed the opinion that the pest was increasing at “a tremendous rate.” In the Ellesmere district, said Mr Bishop, white butterflies were more prevalent than ever. If one walked through a paddock or rape, they rose from the crop like a cloud. All the efforts of the Department of Agriculture to cope with the pest seemed to be unavailing. Parasites had been liberated last year, but the pest continued to increase. “With white butterflies increasing mortality in lambs is increasing,” said Mr Bishop. “One wonders whether the pollution and destruction of our crops by the white butterfly has any connexion with the higher death-rate among lambs.” It was mentioned that tubes containing parasites had been obtained from the department by several branches. Members said that it would be as well if this information were made general, so that the tubes could be distributed around various districts.