PEST IDENTIFIED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 18, 23 January 1939, Page 3

PEST IDENTIFIED

HIGH COUNTRY RESEARCH

. TUSSOCK AREA GRUB

The approximate identity of a caterpillar which is v generally believed tohave wrought considerable damage in the Mackenzie Country and other highcountry tussock areas ,has now been established, states the "Press." This information was given on Friday by Mr. F. R. CaUaghan, chief executive officer of the Plant Research Bureau, Wellington, *in an interview at Christchur-ch. The bureau, he said, was about, to' launch, an extensive campaign into the study of grasslands and deterioration. To further this aim a special- officer had been appointed to study grass insects. Mr/X. D. Dick, a former student of Lincoln College, had been selected to fill, this position.

The caterpillar, Mr. Callaghan said, had been identified as one of a species of leucania. There were about- three dozen different kinds of leucania, and which particular variety the one attacking the tussock in the Mackenzie was had not been definitely established. Not much as yet was known of its' habits or of the range of the country it infested. It seemed certain, however,' that its depredations were much more noticeable in the high sheep country, which was subject to spells of very dry weather, as was the Mackenzie Country and Central Otago. Elsewhere, its activities were not nearly- so noticeable. "The whole question of insects in grasses has been taken up very seriously by th.c Department of Scientific and Industrial Research," he said, "A special officer, Mr. R. D. Dick, a former student 6f Lincoln College,. who has shown a considerable inclination for this work, has been appointed to, specialise in grass-insect research.. Mr. Dick will work under". Mr. L. Morrison, entomologist at the college." CANTERBURY AND\ OTAGO. A visit made to the Mackenzie Country by a representative of, the "Press" during September of last year revealed that many high-country runholders were perturbed at the devastation being wrought by a caterpillar, which at that time seemed to be unknown to science. It was pointed out that this pest concentrated its destruction on the sunny faces, upon which the runholders relied to maintain the carrying capacity of their stations, as it was these areas in particular which provided 'the winter feed. Moreover, it was claimed that the caterpillar ate the edible grasses first, leaving only unpalatable food for the stock. Evidence was given both by sheep men on the spot and by officers at Lincoln College, that its range was considerable, stretching from Gore and Central Otago. to Cass and Banks Peninsula.

Mr. Dick, the newly-appointed officer, has assumed his official duties' already. Work would be started immediately, he said, most of it being in the field. It was intended to make a thorough survey of the hill arid mountain runs from North Canterbury to Central Otago. '

Mr. Dick is a native of North Otago, and is widely known as a capable and enterprising mountaineer.