DAMAGE TO CROPS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1933, Page 6

DAMAGE TO CROPS

BY PLAGUE OF, -CJTEEPILLARS

MR MeCILLIVRAY'S REPORT

OBjKISTGHUPiG 11, 'October 11

A survey' of the damage being done ill Mid-Canterbury by hosts of cater* pillars was given by Mr R. McGillivmy, Fielcl s Superintendent for the Department of Agriculture in Christchurch, who has just returned from an inspection of the affected areas. The object of his visit was to ascertain what practical methods could be adopted to destroy o'r control the invaders., Mr M.cG'iHivray said that there was no doubt about the damage that was being done in some parts of the district by the ‘caterpillars. It was evident that the infestation was fairly widespread, as reports from places us far apart at Monfcalto and Lauristou. stated that the pest was present. The heaviest -infestation was probably about the district, and again about Fak-ton. Mr MeGillivray added that Monday, the day of his visit, was not a good dayto see the pest at its worst, as a cool southerly wind was blowing .all the morning, and in these circumstances the caterpillars- we're rather slow inmovement. Thousands were to be seen ■taking shelter. As the afternoon advanced, however, and the sun shone, there was great activity about Fairton, -and the caterpillars were falling into the main water-race to Fairfield in thousands and being in most cases drowned. A few apparently reached the other side of the race, and all those that managed to cross reached a land of plenty. On the caterpillar-infested side vegetation was very closely eaten, -while across the race the'i’e was quite good feed, DEVOURING WHEAT.

On Mr T. Lemon’s farm at- Fairton about six acres of wheat had been completely destroyed, and the eaterpillars were still at work. The land had been well rolled, but Mr Lemon

now proposed t 0 ha'rrow the crop, as the caterpillars did not travel well on a loose soil covering. On Air Lemon’s farm caterpillars of all sizes were present, and one could stand and see them devouring the wheat plants. At Pendarves, under the guidance of Af'r A P. Bruce, -a visit was paid to the infected areas, and there ava,s plenty of evidence- of damage. On Air W. Beattie's farm about four acres of wheat had been destroyed in about

three days. This wheat had now been heavily rolled ,a»d very few caterpillars were to be seen, and unless a (new “brood” came along this c'rop should now be safe. . . NEW BROODS APPEARING.

The grass in. the infested -fields was devoured - right down to the soil level, and the amount' of excreta left oh ;the pastures iby ■ the -pest- was Very great indeed. The ploughing of heavy fh-r----i'ows. the digging of pits, etc., had resulted in great destruction, but in •some districts it appeared to be a case of additional forces coming to the funerals of their mates. Various •means of control had been suggested, including spraying the fields with petrol and burning, off the vegetation. A number of brown top paddocks had already been burned,, -and this seemed to have -given satisfactory 'results, as few caterpillars seemed to have escaped the lire. Farmer* point out, however, that they do nqt want to burn their fields at. the present time.

■Mr McG'iilivray said the most p'omising means of destruction lie could think of was the use of the eh'in drum grass seed stripper. He believed this implement could account for practically ■all the caterpillars present on a tu.re, and 'when suitable weather was experienced this method of eontiol should be tried out. . SOURCE OF INFESTATION.

•Mr M'cGillivray stated that it appeared to him that the source of infection was old rough brown top pastures and perhaps overgrown gorse fences. He stated that many of the caterpillars seemed to have 'reached the stage of “full fed,” and these would not give further trouble, hut in places fresh broods appeared to. be coming along. He stated that specimens bad been sent to the entomologist of the Department of Agriculture, and his repo'rt would be available shortly. Some sparrows were to be seen, about the fields and appeared, to be eating the caterpillars, but birds were not present in sufficient numbers to do much good. In one field about a dozen gulls were apparently feasting, but no doubt their appetities would soon be satisfied.

“It seem s that the time was opportune for full consideration of the indiscriminate poisoning of our birds,” Air McG'iilivray concluded. “We know that some do great damage to grain crops, but it is pVobable their services ii n other ways far surpass any damage done by them.” . ■