ENTOMOLOGICAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2013, 22 September 1892, Page 5

ENTOMOLOGICAL.

Tbe Starlings. There are very few birds more useiul for clearing off farm and orchard insect pests than the starlings. They are very active, and devour enormous quantities of these insects, and -when they are once introduced into a neighbourhood they soon increase and form very large flocks. The writer well remembers a case in which a large and very valuable crop of potatoes was invaded by the caterpillars of a species of plusia moth in such numbers that in a very few days the foliage must have been entirely destroyed and the crop lost. This crop was of some 150 acres, and was worth when harvested about L2OOO or thereabouts, but suddenly a very large flock of starlings, which lived not far off, put in an appearance, uid in an incredibly short time the entire field I wafl cleared of the caterpillars, to tho great relief and joy of the farmer. .Lately they have taken to frequent the orchards in large num- | here, and may be seen very busy amongst the bands round the, apple trees, and hunting in the scaly bark, devouring the codlin moth larvoe. But the writer 1 is sorry to hear complaints from correspondeats in different districts to the effect' that the birds are not increasing as fast as they should, and the reason is that some enemy is destroying their eggs. They build in these districts in tho branches of trees, but more frequently in holes in hollow j trees and such places, and on approaching their nests great quantities of broken shells, and apparently sucked egga, are always to be seen. Some people imagine that some of the imported weasels or ferrets are at work, and others think (probably, more correctly) that the ratrf are to blame. Be that as it may, it is a serious lobs to the farmers, and should be looked to. Probably it might be found easy to induce the stailitigs to take up their abodes in nebts prepared for them, as they ar.e natorally very tame and friendly birda. A , settler living - rwar Auckland, who was fond of natty contrivances, erected houses for his pigeons made of barrel* placed on end on the .top* of long "poles. They had ornamental poipted roofs on the upper end of the barrels, and, there were holes cut in the sidts with littlo outbide stages -for the birds to alight upon, whilst the inside was divided into separate nests. The starling* at once appreciated the arrangements made "for "the pigeons, and took entire possession of the whole lot, and there they have continued to live and breed ever since, probably they might be induced to in.

habit such buildings elsewhere,- and if so, a piece of tin nailed round the upright post would effectually secure them against rats and all similar enemies. ' "" — *~- The Codlln Moth Question. An experienced fruitgrower in the North says that the entire population in his district are dead against both codlin moth legislation and the expected codlin moth inspector, who, from all expectations, is not likely to have a very pleasant billet, especially if, he is to come armed with the powers some people, expect bim to have ; and he states that the general feeling is that the inhabitants would very' muoh rather submit to even a much heavier tax were the money to be employed in procuring birds, animals, or insects which prey upon the codlin moth, and which would help, instead of hindering, the clearance of the evil., The: idea is by no means a bad one, and a great deal could be done in that direction for very much legi money than it will require to keep up the large staff of inspectors and other "officers absblutely necessary to carry out such measures as are continually being suggested by those who wish to make the ,codhn moth a. burthen.. Amongst the birds tho downy woodpecker • probably stands first; then there a'ro* wrens, tomtits, wrynecks, v and several other common "birds easily procurable. The bats, too, - would bo useful against the winged insects. 'The hedgehog and the toad would devour : gfeat?numbers of tho larva), tho larvaa of tho Raphidio are 1 their deadly enemies, and there nro a good many species of hymenopterous parasitical flics which might be imported both from America and Australia, and which would do good work here, as well as several carnivorous beetles which seek the codlin moth laivrc out in their retreats in the bark and devour them. Some of most of these insects wo already have, but not nearly all that are known in other countries. Another disadvantage will be that the codlin moth inspector will in all probability be quite innocent of any knowledge of such insects, aud will cause their destruction along -with the pests, and, indeed, if, as has been proposed, he is to take entire charge of peoples' orchards, this will not be the only mistake he is likely to make. Ah! it is a grand thing to become "wise by another man's experience," and this good luck is Jikely to come in the way of codlin moth inspectors. Entomologist.