INSECT CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 9

INSECT CONTROL

POOLING OF KNOWLEDGE

P.A. AUCKLAND, June 22. Having completed an investigation in Australia concerning the possibilities of securing parasites from the Commonwealth for use against the grass grub in New Zealand, Dr. David Miller, chief entomologist to the Cawthron Institute, returned by air this week. Though that was the main purpose of his visit, said Dr. Miller, control of the grub through parasites was only one of many approaches to the problem at present being explored. "Apart from the grass-grub problem, there are several others of simi-! lair nature common to both New Zealand and Australia," said Dr. Miller, "and I was extremely fortunate in meeting Commonwealth entomologists from whom i secured information of great value to the Dominin. For example, I was fortunate in attending a conference held in connection with the scope of certain new insecticides. Those entomologists taking part were all men who have been engaged upon, research on this subject, and the conference was very successful." On of the great problems in both countries was the control of the weed known as St. John's wort. From Australia, about 18 months ago, Dr. Miller continued, his Department had received a supplyof the beetles "beinj'einployed there to combat the weed. Australian entomologists, and also Canadians, were extremely interested in the initial success of this insect in New Zealand. The white butterfly and the diamondback moth were much to the fore in both countries, and the great success scored against these pests in the Dpminion was being keenly followed in Australia.

Dr. Miller said he also took the opportunity to go into the question of control of timber-destroying insects which attacked young, growing trees. He had also made himself familiar with the latest methods of mosquito control.