Onion Crop.
ATTACKED BY FLY.
Some time ago some young onions growing in a Hobart suburb were found to be extensively attacked by small maggots, which bored through the bulb, and ate it away, complete - ly destroying it. The Director of Agriculture (Mr Benson) placed some ot the maggots in a breedingbottle. Specimens of a perfect insect developed in due course. In order to determine whether the insect was the onion fly of England, specimens were sent to Mr (J. French, Acting - Government Entomologist of Victoria. A reply has now been receive ed from Mr French, who states that that the fly is a species of antomyia very closely allied to the onion fly of Europe and similar in its economy. It is only however about half the size of the European insect. Mr, French states that some years ago a similar fly to the specimens found near Hobart attacked the onion crops at Drysdale and Portland in Victoria, and caused considerable damage. Growers were advised to pull their onions up and burn them, and treat the ground with lime* After this treatment had been carried out the trouble did not recur. If the insect makes its appearance in other parts of Tasmania, growers are advised to follow the treatment suggested by Mr French.
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 14 February 1912, Page 2
Word Count
214Onion Crop. Northern Advocate, 14 February 1912, Page 2
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