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Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 298, 15 September 1927, Page 6

Taking advantage of the presence in Timaru of Dr. Hilgendorf (Lincoln College), Mr. A. Ward ol Southburn, submitted to him some sprouted wheat, the berries if which had been attacked by wire worms, ami some of the berries had roots but no leaf isays tho “Herald”) They had been taken from a field on which too much water had lodged, and the young crop, in parts, had been partially drowned. Dr. Hilgendarf explained that these worms came from a black beetle which had very short legs. In England they wera called “skippaeks,” and there they were the most dreaded of all underground pests, bv reason of the extent to which, they eat off the pastures and cereals. In New Zealand, however, there wera between 39 and 40 of .these beetles, as thev were called here, but he had not heard of them doing any barm to cereal crons in New Zealand. J 1 ’® worm submitted to him by Mr. Wald, was a typical wire worm, and he was surprised to learn that it was eating grain He would take it back to Ghnstcknrch with him. and endeavour to find out more about it.