Moth Found In Nelson May Attack Tobacco

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30108, 17 April 1963, Page 10

Moth Found In Nelson May Attack Tobacco

(New Zealand Press Association)

NELSON. April 16. The finding in Nelson of a moth, prodenia htura, the caterpillars of which could prove a major menace to tobacco crops in New Zealand, has been revealed by the entomology division of the Department of Agriculture. Nelson.

The division made an urgent appeal to the public for help so that any possible outbreak might be confined at its inception. A statement by the division said that in 1955 caterpillars of the moth prodenia litura were found feeding on tobacco at Riwaka and from them adults were reared by the division in Nelson. "As this insect could prove to be a major pest of tobacco an intensive search was made that summer, but no further specimens of caterpillars or of moths were found, and this has been the position until now,” it said. “A second occurrence of prodenia in Nelson city in the first week of April has now appeared in the presence of a newly-emerged female moth

found resting on a door jamb. “Its presence in the city has given rise to much conjecture as to its origin, which seems to be as an immigrant from Pacific Islands, probably in a case of bananas when its entry could have been as a pupa or a fully-fed caterpillar, transforming to a moth a short time after arrival in Nelson.

"Whatever its origin, the seriousness of the possibility of establishment of the species in Nelson province must be considered again, and all assistance that can be given to the entomology division is urgently required in order to confine any possible outbreak at its inception,” the division said.