RAVAGES BY INSECTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 March 1928, Page 4

RAVAGES BY INSECTS.

The economic loss in Australia due to insect pests and noxious weeds is estimated by the Australian Museum Magazine at £20.000,000 a year. It accordingly welcomes the appointment of Dr Tillyaid to direct and co-ordinate the work of defence. “Of the various forms of animal life which compete with man, insects are the most deadly, ’ ’ says the magazine. “It has- indeed been said that but for the insectivorous ■birds, which keep a check on the multiplication of insects, six years would possibly bring our whole system of animal nature to an end. Fortunately the insect has many enemies and its most formidable foes are to be found among its own kind. Recognition and utilisation of this truth is the best weapon in the armoury of the economic entomologist, for it is 'by introducing and fostering the parasites of insect pests that the latter can best be controlled. His work must be based on accurate determination of the insects with which he has to deal; this task is by no means an easy one. About 600,000 different kinds of insects have already been described and probably 3,000,000 yet Temain to be determined; at the present rate of progress 500 years will elapse before the last elusive species becomes a member of the Linnean system. As Dr Tillyard has pointed out, biological control of pests involves a restoration of the balance of nature where it has been unwittingly disturbed by man. Not seldom the very progressiveness of man has aggravated the evil; improved means of communication help to spread weeds and injurious insects and agricultural operations sometimes encourage our insect-enemies by providing an assured and ample food supply.”