POISONOUS HONEYDEW

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29857, 25 June 1962, Page 8

POISONOUS HONEYDEW

Investigations In Northland (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 22. Investigations are continuing into the presence of a poisonous honey die w in Northland honey. Mr I. L. Nottage, superintendent of the horticultural division of the Agriculture Department, who is in charge of the investigations, said it was likely to be some time before results would be known.

The marketing of honey from areas considered safe wias continuing, he said. Producers whose crops were affected had been hit very hard and in fairness to them he was not prepared to give any further particulars. However, there might be no need to declare the produce unfit for human consumption. Department inspectors have taken samples of honey from the affected area, which includes most of the hill country between Auckland and North Cape. The marketing of honey in this area has been prohibited. In May, Mr Nottage said the cause of the trouble was a moth-like insect called the passion fruit hopper. Common in the North Island, the insect attacked tutu plants and excreted the poisonous substance. Bees did not normally bother with the substance except during Itfng dry spells when other supplies dwindled. In March, beekeepers in Northland noticed bees were gathering the honeydew rather freely and the department ordered that honey must not be collected.