BEETLE ON BLACKBERRY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1929, Page 13

BEETLE ON BLACKBERRY

WELL-KNOWN FOE OF FRUIT. Thames, Dec. 17. The beetle claimed as a destroyer, of blackberry on the Coromandel Peninsula is no stranger to officials of the Agricultural Department stationed at Thames. In 1914 Mr. R., Denize forwarded specimens of the insect to the Government entomologist, who identified it as an enemy of orchardists and flower growers.

'ln a fresh report to Mr. Denize this week, Dr. Muggeridge, Government entomologist, states that the insect which has been reported from many parts of the country as having been attacking the blackberry plant is no new discovery, and that as a means of checking the greatest weed of the Dominion it is of no value whatever.

“It is,” says Dr. Muggeridge, “but the common bronze beetle, which is well known to orchardists as a great pest and which the Government entomological department and the Cawthron Institute have for five years or more been seeking means to combat. The fact that it is turning its attention to blackberry is an indication of adaptability and great increase. “The beetle resembles the ladybird, but is of a bronze colour. In orchards it hibernates on the ground during the day and attacks the leaves of fruit trees, particularly peaches, during the night. Spraying is of no avail, and the only effective way of combating it is to spread boards which have been newly tarred under the fruit trees, and to shake the branches when the beetles will curl up and fall on to the wet tar.”