Butterfly Parasites Are To Be Released Soon

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17953, 3 December 1932, Page 9

Butterfly Parasites Are To Be Released Soon

TIIE release of cabbage, or white, i A butterfly parasites will bo made J during the next week or fortnight. | Xo word has been received in Uisi borne as to the probability of any of the parasites being forwarded for release here, and it appears that the first batch will be more in the nature of a trial in Hawke’s Bay, where the white I butterfly first made its appearance in j New Zealand. j For a time the butterfly remained , inactive in the Gisborne district, few i being noticed until recently when ; large numbers were seen ©u the wing. The experience in Hawke’s Bay appeared to be somewhat similar. Commenting on the matter, the Napier Telegraph states: — 'file first batch of parasites to be released from their pupal form and sent through to Hawke’s Bay to combat the cabbage butterfly will probably arrive within the next fortnight from the Plant Research .Station, Palmerston North. This consignment will be mainly to test the efficacy of the existing transport facilities between Palmerston North and the control area, at Maugntahi for the carriage of this class of material and once an effective means of transport has been arrived at, distillation will commence in earnest.

This decision has been reached as 1 a result of the visit of Hr. J. Muggeridge, entomologist of the Plant. Uesearch Station, Palmerston North, to Hawke’s Bay last week. In company with .Mr. N. ,T. Adamson, orchard instructor, Mr. Mugger id go visited the special area of U) acres of cabbages laid down in the centre of extensive rape plantings on the Mangatahi property of Mr. J. Graham. The first sowing of cabbages on the area was not wholly satisfactory and a second sowing had to be made, so ‘that the growth is a little late. Already the caterpillar of the cabbage butterfly lias 'made its appearance oil the cabbages and traces ’were also found of its activities amongst i the rape. Air. Muggoridgo considers • that the conditions in this control ■ area are ideal for the purpose and it is anticipated that when the release of • the parasites commences they will i have an excellent chance of establish- ■ ing themselves, with no lack of ' material upon which to work.