HESSIAN FLY

Evening Star, Issue 22571, 12 February 1937, Page 9

HESSIAN FLY

WHEAT CROPS ATTACKED CANTERBURY FARMERS CONCERNED [Pek United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 12. Farmers in various Canterbury districts have noticed this year a mysterious breaking over of many stems_ in some wheat crops. An examination has proved that the trouble is due to attacks by the Hessian fly. _ In an interview this morning Mr R. M’Gillivray, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, said that the trouble with the Hessian fly seemed much more widespread than usual, but it was only in isolated cases that the attack had led to serious damage. However, it was a pest that could do very great damage at times. The crop generally attacked was wheat, but he had also seen damage in barley, and had been told of damage in ryecorn crops. The Hessian fly was well known in the Northern Hemisphere,, and had done considerable damage at times to both wheat and barley crops. It had evidently been introduced into New Zealand by accident at some time. Some farmers, he said, showed considerable uneasiness, but. his own opinion was that effective control ot the Hessian fly would be brought about by the natural parasites which preyed upon the pest.