Gorse Weevil's Spread Observed In B. Of I.

Northern Advocate, 13 October 1949, Page 4

Gorse Weevil's Spread Observed In B. Of I.

KAWAKAWA, Thu. (Sp.).--The gorse weevil appears to be thriving and spreading widely in the Bay of Islands. It was liberated around the Kawakawa district three or four years ago in one or two limited areas, but now appears to be preva-

lent in places up to 20 miles awaj The county foreman (Mr A. W. Mackerelh) reports that it has moved the whole length of the “railway valley” from Otiria through Kawiti, Orauta, Ngapipito and out onto the Tautoro fiats south of Kaikohe. It was to he found in abundance at Tautoro, he said. Similarly, it had climbed the hills over which the Turntable stretch of highway winds. From there it had travelled on to Oromahoe and almost to Puketona. Through Taumarere, downstream from Kawakawa, the weevil had gone to Opua, where it was flourishing. Mr Mackereth said he had not been able to look for it in the district immediately south of Kawakawa. lie had discovered the spread of the weevil by observing the fact that the golden gorse flowers were often chewed away. He had shaken seed-pods into his hand and noted scores of the little wriggling caterpillar-like weevils drop out. The seeds themselves were invariably destroyed. Cr G. M. Mclntyre (Kawakawa riding) said that he had often observed small clouds of the little green flying insects into which ihe weevils developed. A local fanner had stopped his labour of cutting gorse one day to show him the prevalence of the insects.

The farmer's hat and clothes were literally smothered with them. The weevil had been liberated at the same time between Kerikeri and Waipapa by Mr ’H. T. Bates, said Mr Mackereth, but he had not been able to find evidence of its survival there. It was possible that the gorse on which it had been freed had been burnt off soon afterwards.