GRASS GRUB

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 342, 28 August 1933, Page 5

GRASS GRUB

Enemy Discovered | SMALL BLACK ANT ' \ . ‘ •'* Observations at Rotorua \ i —.— A discovery with regard to the grass grub has been made in Rotorua which may prove of great value to the Dominion. Tho Arikikapakapa. golf links have been infested with the grub in the past and the secretary, Mr. Goo, has been closely watch-: ing the history of the insect. Hi s observations have lasted over tw r« or timed years, and he found tha b when the grubs were unearthed tlici e were generally a lot of tiny blac k ants in the vicinity. This suggested la train of thought and he instructed the greenkeepers to watch the amts and the grubs. It was discovered about IS months ago that the ant svas definitely an enemy of the grub and the beetle before its wings were properly developed. It was seen that wherever a grub or beetle was turned up that about 100 of these tiny ants were present. The 1 watchers saw the ants attack the grubs and beetles and disembowel them, leaving the empty husks behind. Wherever it was found necessary to renew turf the war 9 was found going’ ou, and today the links are entirely free from grubs. Strangely, or naturally, the ants have also disappeared. Mr. Gee knows nothing abomt tho ant, where it comes from or where it goes, but says it is much smaller than the ordinary species and very black. It is understood that thiei grass grub makes periodical visitations to districts, and their disappearance from the links might be attributed to this cause, but Mr. Gee is confident that the ant has done the trick. There has been a good deal of spraying with arsenate of lead, hut this was confined entirely to the greens, and tho fairways (where the grub flourished) were not touched. The experience of the club is well worth expert investigation, as the grass grub docs thousands of pounds’ worth of damage to our pastures each year.