BLACKBERRY PARASITE

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 November 1929, Page 7

BLACKBERRY PARASITE

INSECTS’ GOOD WORK

A THAMES DISCOVERY (Per Press Aseoolation.) THAMES, November 28. For some time past observers have noticed that where blackberry vines were in small clumps, they were not making the progress in spreading that they had done in former years. This prompted a farmer interested in the pest to take closer notice, and the result of his observations was encouraging. He found that the blackberry was being attacked very vigorously by an insect, which was doing a great amount of damage. Investigations were made on farms on both sides of the Coromandel Range, and he found that the insect attacks were causing the plants to die. The older leaves were riddled through with holes, and the young shoots withered and dead. It was observed that an insect similar to the ladybird, only black, infested the plants. When the leaves were turned over, colonies were seen eating the old leaves, also the stems of the plants. Especially was this the case where there were isolated clumps of blackberries. No eggs were found. It is not known how the insect came, but it will be a boon to farmers if it continues its labours. So far, it has not been seen on any other plants. It has been noticed since 1927 that blackberries that used to riot over thousands of acres, have received a check.