WHITE BUTTERFLY PEST

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19765, 21 December 1935, Page 26 (Supplement)

WHITE BUTTERFLY PEST

OPTIMISTIC VIEW. PROSPECTS FOR SOUTH ISLAND, An optimistic view of the results of the attempts being made to control the white butterfly pest with the distribution of parasites in the South Island is taken by Mr R. McGillivray, the Fields Superintendent for the Department of Agriculture, who is _ in charge of the measures for controlling the pest in the Canterbury province. Mr McGillivray, commenting on a telegraph message from Auckland which stated that decrease in numbers had been noted in that district, said that he believed that while it was not possible to hope for the total extermination of the pest, there was every possibility that the control should be SO per cent, efficient. Liberation of Parasites. “The position in the province from Timaru northwards shows that’ during last August there were many butterflies,’’ said Mr McGillivray. “Later, however, during September, October and November the cold weather made conditions most unsuitable for the pest. Large numbers have made their appearance from time to time in Blenheim and Kaikoura. Arrangements are being made for parasites to be liberated in these districts very soon. Another

consignment of parasites will also be liberated in Lyttelton, which suffers fairly severely,” continued Mr McGillivray. He stated that 100,000 parasites would be liberated there. “While we cannot expect that the pest will be completely overcome, we have, the matter well in hand. In the North Island conditions were bad until the parasites had been liberated for two years, after which there was a very definite improvement. _ If the pest gets beyond control, it is very hard to combat it. In the South Island, however, preventive steps were taken before the pest had become a serious menace. In the same way as the North Island had shown signs of improvement two years after the parasite was liberated, there is every promise that the result will be the same in the south. Very Hard to Control. “Where the caterpillar of the white butterfly has obtained a hold in vegetables —particularly on cabbage and cauliflower plants—it is very hard to control,” Mr McGillivray continued. “The caterpillar does tremendous damage to these plants and for this reason is known in Europe as the cabbage butterfly. The insects breed very quickly, the butterflies laying about 30.0 eggs in five or six days. In conclusion Mr McGillivray said that his department had the matter fully in hand and good results could be expected.