THE WHITE BUTTERFLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22751, 11 December 1935, Page 10

THE WHITE BUTTERFLY

DECREASE IN AUCKLAND THREE CAUSES ADVANCED (Special to Daily Timesj AUCKLAND, December 10. Three factors which seem to have contributed to the marked decrease in the number of white butterflies in and about Auckland this year were mentioned by Mr F. W. Martin, principal of the Otahuhu Technical High School. He said the decrease which gardeners and householders generally had noted with pleasure might be accounted by a fungus which seemed to be attacking the chrysalides, the increasing number being eaten by birds, and the effects of parasites, i " The position is that so far there has not been any great number of white butterflies seen, but there seem to be three factors operating to reduce them," Mr Martin said. " The chrysalides seem to be affected by some fungus in this district, and we have also had some evidence that birds are now attacking them. On top of that we know that the parasite has established itself in the district because we have examined the chrysalides and found them to be affected. We do not know, however, whether the marked decrease is due to the parasite or to a number of causes. Wc are waiting until January, when the main brood of the butterfly is on the wing to see what the position is." Tha school was enabled some time ago, Mr Martin said, as the result of various donations received, to build a glasshouse and install an incubator for parasites. Later the parasites were distributed throughout the district. While there was evidence that the parasite was established it could not be expected to wipe out the white butterfly in one season.