WAR ON GRASS GRUB

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 40, 17 February 1933, Page 12

WAR ON GRASS GRUB

INTRODUCTION OF BATS?'

Mention was made at the Januarymeeting of the . Morrinsville branch of the Farmers' Union, that bats (which are small flying animals like mice with wings) should be : introduced into affected areas to feed on the insects. Bats sleep in the day and fly at night, taking toll of beetles, moths and other night-flying insects. It is well known that the beetle which lays eggs that hatch into grass grubs flies at night only. A* tie February1 meeting of the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers' Union on. Saturday 'correspondence was read from the New Zealand Birds Protection Society, which' appeared to be under the impression that it was desired to reintroduce the native bat which lived in. the bush, and has became rare with the destruction of so much of the bush. The society offered to assist in obtaining specimens of the native' bat. Mr. K. A. S. Browne, who was formerly agricultural instructor under the Taranaki Education Board, explained that when he had suggested bats as the natui'al enemies of the grass giub he had in mind the introduction of an English species of bat —which speeios was a matter for scientists to decide. The New Zealand native bat had almost died outj as it seemed unable to adapt itself to present-day conditions, being a bush-dweller. He considered that the English bajt would bo a good natural enemy of the grass grub beetle-Its-introduction would not be upsetting itne^balance of nature, but merely re■BtQtfing it, as the native bats, which formerly kept beetles'in check, had decreased :in numbers and allowed the beetles to increase. Man's action, in providing unlimited ryegrass pasture had provided the grass grub, (a native ;bf New Zealand) with conditions it liked, and it had multiplied amazingly with serious results to farmers. Bats would' restore the balance of nature, and having checked the grubs would naturally decrease in numbers and not cause havoc as some other imported enemies had done. The seriousness of the grass grub pest was impressed on the GovernorGeneral in July, when he visited the Manawaru district near Te Aroha, and saw whole farms where the grass had been destroyed. ". " ~■>