The Press TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1966. Entomological Research

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 16

The Press TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1966. Entomological Research

Dr. J. M. Hoy, director of the Entomology Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has returned from Australia deeply impressed by the support given to agricultural research in Australia by producers. He believes that at least a third of the entomological research carried out by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, a Government agency, is financed by farmers. Farmers and Government co-operate to a certain extent in research in this country also. The Wool Research Organisation, in which the Wool Board and the Government are associated, is a notable example. But there is room for much more of this sort of collaboration. Entomologists have served the farmers of this country well. As a result of their efforts the practice of using D.D.T. for control of grass grub was developed; and this has been worth many millions of pounds a year in extra production from New Zealand’s pastoral lands. But the danger of residues in animal products has restricted the use of this insecticide. There are also indications that the grubs are developing a measure of resistance, so that it is no longer as effective a control as it was. Promising alternative insecticides are available; but they are costly to apply and do not appear to give as long a period of protection. Farmers have been calling for more research into this problem; and it has been suggested that there are not enough researchers to do the necessary work. As the Meat and Wool Boards have a vital interest in the products of New Zealand’s pastures, this problem is one of their most urgent concerns. Some of the considerable resources at their disposal could well be channelled into research on grass grub and porina with every expectation that the investment would bring handsome returns to farmers and to the national exchequer.