CATERPILLAR PLAGUE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 42, 8 February 1946, Page 5

CATERPILLAR PLAGUE

DESTRUCTION OF LUPINS

APPEARANCE AT OiIOPE

A plague of caterpillars has recently defoliated the yellow lupins at Ohopc Beach. The caterpillar responsible is a native' of New Zealand. named Mecyna maorialis and occasionally it multiplies to plague proportions in some localities. It is itself attacked by a parasite, and eventually is reduced to very small numbers. Lack of suitable food also reduces its numbers as does the burning of the lupins. This is done because the caterpillar having eaten all the leaves on the lupins goes on the march in search of other food to his liking, and lie likes blue lupins, Russel , lupins Kowhai brooms, Genista florida, and' clovers. It is very likely that this caterpillar would prove a pest in lucerne also, but so far there have been no reports of his having been found in a lucerne stand. Possibly this is just because the caterpillar has not happened to multiply near to lucerne. At any rate the caterpillar has friends as well as foes among mankind, for some farmers are glad to see the lupin wiped out while others are not, particularly people with nearby gardens. To control this caterpillar in the garden, spray with arsenate of lead.