BEETLE SWARM
Auckland Invaded (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 10. Millions of black beetles invaded Auckland suburbs tonight, covering roads and pavements in a thick seething mass and forcing shopkeepers to break off business to sweep out their shops. The swarms appeared at about 6.30 p.m. in Glen Innes, Panmure, Mount Wellington, Royal Oak and Blockhouse Bay. Beating the beetles earned priority over business as shopkeepers armed with large brooms worked to clear their shops. Shoppers arrived at stores to find large piles of dead beetles at the entrances. “It was like walking on a thick layer of peanut shells," said one man in Blockhouse Bay. “They went snap, crackle and pop under my feet.” Mr D. Spiller, senior, entomologist at the Plant Diseases Division, said the outbreak was a seasonal emergence of the common black beetle which had been appearing in increasing numbers in New Zealand since 1939.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30413, 11 April 1964, Page 1
Word Count
149BEETLE SWARM Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30413, 11 April 1964, Page 1
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