THE WHITE BUTTERFLY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 12200, 12 March 1934, Page 7

THE WHITE BUTTERFLY

LESS DAMAGE TO CROPS TN HAWKE’S RAY THIS YEAR. Further evidence of the spread of the pupal parasite ( ; pte l rGinali s puparum) of the •white butteifly h aS been obtained by Mr. J. Muggeriuge (Government Entomologist) in the course of a recent visit to Hawks' 1 * Bay. M'r. Muggeridge informed the Hawke’s' Bay "Herald” that parasitised pupae had been found at Pakowhai and Havelock North, thus indicating clearly ‘bat the parasite was? spreading. Mr. Muggeridge stated .that although it would he impossible to come to a definite decision a s to the position until a complete survey had been carried out, th e position was distinctly encouraging. The finding of parasitised pupae at Havelock and Pakowhai showed that the • parasite had freread from Mangatahi where the original liberations were made. The fact that the d'iamond-bacK moth ..appeared to be doing more damage amongst cruciferous crops ■in Hawke’s Bay this season was commented upon by Mr. Muggeridge. In the other parts of ,the North Island, particularly the West Coast, the white butterfly had showed.-a, decided increase, hut in Hawke’s Bay there had -been a -definte ■ -decrease in the white butterfly. Mr. Muggeiridge mentioned that over ,200,000 parasites had boon liberated tn the district this sea'son. th 0 bulk of which had been othained n,» a. result of the £IOO Tnisetl in .the Hawke's Bay district last year. Th e larvae parasite wag akv> doing ; good work. Mr. Muggeridge stated in conclusion .that 100 per cent, control had been achieved this year over the white fly which has been a .source of .trouble . amongst tomato', crops - -in glasshouses in Hawke’s Bay. The parasite used was Enfearia- Formosa., of the same, insect order as the white butterfly parasite.