WHITE BUTTERFLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 29 January 1936, Page 7

WHITE BUTTERFLY

ESTABLISHMENT OF PARASITE IN AUCKLAND “There is definite proof that the white butterfly parasite has now been well established in tbe Auckland province, and it is only a matter of time when the pest will have been ieduced to negligible proportions,” said an officer of the Department of Agriculture. “A careful survey of the position was made earlier in the season, and from an inspection of chrysalids of the butterfly, it was found that these had been well parasitised throughout all areas where the control insect had been liberated.”

So successful had the establishment of the parasite been, said the official, that it had been decided to make distributions in tbe South Island, instead of locally. The parasites were already reproducing at a rapid rate, and tbe effort of fresh liberations would be small in comparison with tlie natural increase. At tho present rate ho considered it would bo probably two years mor.e before the full effect of the control work was felt. The decrease in tbe number of white butterflies this season was regarded as being caused by the combination of control measures and the continuance of wet spells, which were unfavourable to insect life.