CATERPILLAR PLAGUE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 47, 26 February 1946, Page 2

CATERPILLAR PLAGUE

DESTRUCTION OF LUPINS

IN FORM ATI ON CONCERN IN G PEST

Concerning the recent plague of the caterpillar Mecyna maorialis. w hich attacked the lupins, at Oliope. the following information which will be of interest particularly to gardeners has been obtained from the Cawthron Institute. Department of Industrial and Scientific Research Nelson. through the Department of Agriculture Whakatane.

Apparently very little is known about the actual life, history of the moth. The adult of the species, has a wingspread of about one and a quarter inches. In colour. the forewings are brown, with light markings. the hind-wings being orange with brown bands along the outer edge. The adult is found from November until March. and there is believed to be two broods a seasow the first emerging in November and the second in March.' Alt present tile second brood of caterpillars will lie reaching full growth, at which stage the damage is very conspicuous often resulting in com-

plete defoliation. The moth will lay its eggs on the foliage and the young larvae emerge and begin feeding on the leaves. When full grown tlie caterpillar spins a rough s.ilkcn cocoon among twigs. dead leaves and other debris. * This insect is of local occurrence and is subject to periodic outbreaks. If garden trees or hedges are being attacked, a lead arsenate spray will poison off large numbers of the

caterpillars. The Parasite The caterpillar itself. is attacked by a parasite known as Echthromorpha intricatoria. It is a wasp-like insect with a black body dotted on either side with small , white spots, red legs and opaque wings of which each of the fore ones lias two solid dark marks near the tip. The antennae are red. shading to black at the tip. The female has a long ovipositor at the posterior end of the body. The insect lays its eggs within the body ot the caterpillar.