MENACE OF INSECTS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 4

MENACE OF INSECTS

Curtailment of Work at Cawthron Institute PROFESSOR’S REGRETS The opinion that it would be “al national calamity” if the entomological department of the Cawthron Institute nt Nelson Were closed down for lack of funds was expressed by Dr. W. B. Benham, professor of biology at Otago University, in an Interview at Dunedin. . Dr. Benham said he had been much , perturbed to hear statements that the entomological work of the institute might have to be greatly curtailed, even if it were not compelled , to stop altogether. Under Dr. R. J. Hillyard 1 and more recently under Dr. David Miller, fine results had been attained in combating insect pests and in con- • trolling noxious weeds, both of which • detracted from th.e,value .of -'pl-o.ducts Vf the soil. This control of pests had been effected by the introduction of insects which would parasitise the harmful biie. and the control of Weeds by the introduction of some natural enemy. The work was arduous, . and needed to be long continued. The experiments might last for years before success was attained. Sufficient had howeverr already been done to show that success had in several instances crowned the efforts of the entomology ists. Immense Money Value Valuable work had already been done some years ago by the introdue-i tion of the aplielinus to control the woolly aphis. which attacked apples, but it was necessary that continual supplies of this insect should be at ailable. Dr. Miller was at present en-. gaged upon the task of attacking gorse, blackberry, ragwort, bidl-bidi. and, other noxious weeds and of finding efficient natural enemies for the saw-fly in standing timber and for the destructive cabbage white butterfly. “Few people, even, / fear, amongthe farmers,” said Dr. Benham. ' appreciate to the full the importance of., this work, or recognise the money j value of it: that is, the saving to the Dominion if these and othpr pests are ; circumvented as they can be in time. The common grass grub and the beetle to which it gives rise are responsible for an. approximate annual loss to tins country of £750,000. Livestock pests further reduce our agricultural rove- , hue by:-an additional £500.000. 1 / / Risk of a Tragedy. “Thus we pay an annual tax of £1,250.000 to three insects, quite apart from the loss due to ravages of other pests. Maggot flies, for instance, resultin an annual loss to the sheep in.dustry of something like £400,000, while the bidi-bidi; by clinging to .the -fleeces.of sheep, reduce Hie ;*P uu: ‘ l value of the wool clip by £250.000, and, further, bracken fern occupies land which should carry sheep worth-about £1,500,000.” Dr. Benham added that unless nipue.tarv help was given to the institute, much of the work done .would be wasted and the money expended in experiments would be thrown away. Every branch of the agricultural and pastoral industries - was \ concerned in supporting the work. it would be a tragedy if'all tlw work of years, tending to the .saving of laige sums of money, should now? go • for nothing. It might be that certain other work of the institute which was not dependent oh the care of living animals, and which could.be taken.up at any time, could be. suspended, and the money expended on the work' of the entomological department.