INSECT PESTS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 71, 25 March 1933, Page 15

INSECT PESTS

BLACK DIAMOND MOTH

(By Telegraph.) . : / (Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., Tliis Day

. While the white butterfly is undoubtedly doing, a great deal of damage all over the North Island just now, it is apparently being blamed also for the sins of a black cousin. The summer just past has undoubtedly been particularly favourable for insects of .all iinds, and the diamond back moth has been niore. than usually plentiful, and to this pest can be attributed according to Mr. J. Muggeridge, entomologist of the Department of Agriculture, much of the damage that has been done to swede and kindred crops in the Manawatu. ■ . "

Mr. Muggeridge issues a warning that the butterfly swarm: will be much worse next year. It will take some time before the army of parasites recently released in Hawke's Bay can overtake their hosts.

Asked why the diamond back moth problem had not been tackled, Mr. Muggeridge said that while England had. parasitic control up to 70 and: 80 per cent., , a similar parasite in New Zealand, only exercised a. 7 or 8 per cent, control. Investigations had been started in Central Europe, but. were hung up at present through lack of funds. It looked as if ; New Zealand wanted a new parasite for the pest. • ' Regarding the/- native moth that had ravaged the lupin areas of Waikanae (as reported in "The Post" by Mr. W. H. Field, M.P.), and so laid bare large "areas subject to drifting sand, Mr. Muggeridge was of opinion that the large increase in the pest was mainly due to the favourable season and that there need, be little concern for future years. • -