WHITE BUTTERFLY FUND

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 75, 10 March 1933, Page 11

WHITE BUTTERFLY FUND

PROTECTION OF FUTURE CROPS. PARASITES ARE GIVING RESULTS Although there has been a heartening response to the appeal inaugurated by the “Tribune” for the raising of funds to control the white butterfly pest by means of parasites, we require a further £26 2s 6d if our appeal is to be successful, and control measures put on a Arm basis. Commencing in 1930-31, the white butterfly pest has spread in Hawke’s Bay until the menace of the pest has now assumed alarming proportions. Although at first the butterfly was treated with contempt, it now constitutes a very real menace to Hawke’s Bay farmers. The damage is not caused by the butterfly, but by the caterpillar, which feeds on rape, chou moellier and other members of the cabbage family. As farmers know, the damage done by the caterpillar is considerable, and threatens future cruciferous crops with extinction. Other countries of the world, such as Great Britain and America, have suffered from the white butterfly, and research authorities in both countries endeavoured to find an effective means of controlling the butterfly. The results of their investigations were very successful, two parasites being discovered which preyed on the butterfly at different stages of its life history. So effective were the control measures Inaugurated in these countries, that In the course of a few years a control of 80 per cent, was obtained, and farmers were able to grow cruciferous crops where formerly such a practice was a waste of time and money. Control in New Zealand, and particularly in Hawke’s Bay, can be equally effective provided sufficient funds are in hand. The reason why the “Tribune’’ started this appeal was that it was realised that the white butterfly pest was a real menace to the farmers’ crops. As a result of drawing public attention to the need for greater control, a wellknown farmer offered £5O, on condition that a further £5O was raised by May i 1. As a result of this offer and the apI peal which was instituted, there is now

a total in the fund of £73 17s 6d, which includes the original offer of £5O; this leaving a balance of £26 2s 6d to be raised. When the required sum is raised, the total will be forwarded to the Farnham Royal Institute in England, which is breeding the parasites. This £lOO will ensure a further large supply of parasites being forwarded from England, and liberated in Hawke’s Bay by the Government Entomologist, Mr J. H. Muggcridge, who is conducting the work of control. By the time that these parasites have been liberated, it is hoped that some action will have been taken by the responsible authorities. For the time being the future of the white butterfly lies entirely in the hands of Hawke’s Bay farmers, and we trust that farmers will come forward with their donations to enable active steps to be taken. Any donations, no matter how big or how small, will be gratefully received at the office of this paper, and acknowledged in these columns. A particularly pleasing feature of the contributions so far is the way some of the younger members of the farming community have sent in donations. We hope that the example of these younger folk will be followed by the older fanning folks of the district.