NEW CITRUS FRUIT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28888, 7 May 1959, Page 7

NEW CITRUS FRUIT

Yellow Scale Insect On Landed Oranges

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 6. A new variety of scale insect —Yellow Scale—that attacks citrus fruits was discovered last month by plant quarantine inspectors on a shipment of Californian oranges. It was the first time the pest had been identified in New Zealand.Positive identification of the insect was given by American entomologists after sample oranges had been sent back to California. A second shipment of the oranges landed in Auckland was closely examined and all were dipped in an oil spray before being released for sale.

The normal quarantine check on the first shipment of oranges failed to discover the insect, as apparently only a few isolated oranges were affected. When the insect was positively identified, however, all available supplies of the first shipment were seized and treated. Most of this shipment had already been distributed and sold. Mr W. A. Fletcher, citrus expert of the Department of Agriculture in Auckland, said today that it was extremely difficult to differentiate between the Californian Red Scale insect — already in New Zealand —and the new Yellow Scale. Any infestation could be serious if it spread. It was possible, however, that the Yellow Scale was already in New Zealand but had not been identified positively.

Harbour Board Building

Although the Lyttelton Harbour Board will be in occupation considerably earlier, the board’s new office building at the corner of Madras and Chester streets will be officially opened on August 21. The Minister of Marine (Mr Fox) will be invited to perform the ceremony, which will be attended by the executive of the Harbours Association. As a . general rule, meetings of the executive are held in Wellington but may be held elsewhere on special occasions. The executive will hold its next meeting in Christchurch during the week the new building is opened. Floodlighting of the building was approved by the board yesterday.