BIDI-BIDI PARASITES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 5

BIDI-BIDI PARASITES

Wanganui’s Interest In Dr. Miller’s Arrival

Wanganui, January 13. News of Dr. D. Miller's arrival at Auckland yesterday from Southern Chile, where he has been gathering supplies of a parasitic insect to attack the bidi-bidi weed, was received with great interest by the fanning community in Wanganui and district to-day. When inteiviewed this morning, Mr. F. G. Seddon, secretary of the Wanganui Provincial Farmers’ Union, said that it was quite definite that Dr. Miller would liberate the first insects in this district on properties of those who had contributed toward the expenses of Ins trip to Chile.

“I expect to hear from Dr. Miller within a week,” Mr. Seddon told "The Dominion, ’ and in further conversation he said he had received many inquiries in connection with insect ' liberation. One man actually came from Taumaru--11111 a day or two ago wanting to place an order for a quantity of insects, but this was not possible. This farmer said that the bidi-bidi menace was So acute 111 I* ,s district that it had driven his sheep off the land. He was going to put cattle in their place, and if the weed drove them off, too, then he would simply have to give up and get out of farming there.” It is expected that Dr. Miller will proceed direct to report to Cawthron Institute, Nelson, where he is assistant director and chief entomologist, afterward travelling to Wanganui with a supply of parasites sufficient to establish three colonies here. It is not nt present known on what properties the insects will be liberated.