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THE PLAGUE OF MOTHS.

Ft:it some weeks past (says the Sydney Morning Herald) there has been a visitation of moths, dark in colour, and from quite a small size to fully three-quarters of an inch in length. Myriads are still to he seen in some localities at all times .of the day, but; in increasing numbers at and after sunset .So numerous have they been that lighthouse keepers have reported that the lights from their lamps have at times been almost entirely obscured, and even vessels it considerable distance off shore have had cause to complain of the swarms that have visited. them. These insects have also been responsible* for ; the destruction of large numbers of gas mantles as, fascinated by the light from the lamps, they swarm into the name, become incinerated, and in their struggles destroy the flimsy mantle fabric. Further annoyance lias been caused housewives, who, where the pest is 'thickest, have had constantly to rub the whitish exudations from these moths oft' windowpanes, and just as constantly to sweep the considerable litter made by their dropped wings. Locally these insects are known as the Bugong moths, their entomological title being Agrostis iafusa. The name Bugong is probably derived from the mountain of that name, in the vicinity of which the moths proved of economic, value to. the aborigines, who used them extensively us an article of diet, and throve exceedingly, being always fat after a lengthened course of bugongs.i The present visitation, which is mainly confined to coastal localities, is as unaccountable as are the periodical incursions of rats, mice, etc..

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19051121.2.98

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 7

Word Count
265

THE PLAGUE OF MOTHS. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 7

THE PLAGUE OF MOTHS. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13029, 21 November 1905, Page 7

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