RAGWORT DESTROYED

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1935, Page 14

RAGWORT DESTROYED

ATTACKED BY CATERPILLAR. FRASER ROAD EXPERIENCE. Attacked by a black and orange caterpillar, the ragwort on several farms in the Fraser Road district has died or is in process of extermination. A Daily News’ reporter on Monday visited the farm of Mr. T. H. Broomfield, where the greatest havoc with the ragwort weed was to be seen. The first place to be inspected was a hay paddock which had been cut early in December. Soon afterwards ragwort plants commenced to make prolific second growth, but after Christmas the caterpillar appeared and commenced its work. The ragwort was yesterday found to be almost completely eaten away by the insects, and there was not a plant that was not “stone dead.” In most places the weeds were a blackened and withered mass, while in others even the tough stalks had been attacked by caterpillars which clustered . around every plant and put on the finishing touches to their work of destruction.

In an adjoining paddock where the ragwort had hot previously been cut the caterpillars were also at work, but their progress was somewhat slower. Outside the farthest paddock there was a Steep hillside covered with ragwori., but this also was in its death throes. This portion had previously been cut and it apparently was more subject to attack than that uncut.

Mr. Broomfield was highly pleased with the results of the caterpillars’ activities, and he believes it will not be long before the clearance of his farm is completed solely by the aid of the caterpillars. / Several years ago the caterpillar was hailed with delight as a natural enemy that would soon exterminate all ragwort. These high hopes, however, were not realised, the caterpillars slackened in their task and farmers reverted to spraying and cutting. Perhaps it is the dry season that has caused the renewed activity, for it is often noted that the ordinary green caterpillar is more destructive of crops in a dry season than in a wet one.