CINNABAR MOTH

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 February 1928, Page 9

CINNABAR MOTH

LIBERATION AUTHOR ISKD

TO ATTACK RAG WORT.

[BY TELEGRAPH—press ASSOCIATION.] NELSON, Feb. 22.

A Government permit was received by telegram yesterday afternoon by the director of the Gawthorn Institute. Professor T. H. Estopfield, for liberation of larvae of the cinnabar motli. which have been bred lit the noxious weeds control inseetary. Dr. Tillyard, Mr David Miller (Government Entomologist) and Mr Tonnoir (fielcl entomologist under the Marketing Board’scheme) were summoned and a numbo: of larvae were removed rom the insectary to a patch or ragwort, which has been planted in the grounds of the institute.

The ■ first caterpillar w r as formally placed on a ragwort plant by Dr. Tillyard, Avho has been in charge of the scheme. The remaining larvae were then liberated by the other members of the party. It was interesting to notice the eagerness with which the caterpillars attacked the ragwort. Observations in the insectary have shown that though the tyria larvae feed greedily upon ragwort, they showed aversion to all other plants upon wdiich they have been placed, with the sole exception of groundsel, for which, however, they show a limited appetite only. The permit issued by the Government is not a general one, and it is unlikely that the larvae can be distributed to farmers during the present season.