THE CAWTHRON INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 18

THE CAWTHRON INSTITUTE.

* [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, November 18. The new insectary and biological laboratory at the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, designed) to deal with extended researches into noxious weeds' parasites has now been completed. The Dominion now has a first-class entomological research station which compares more than favourably with similar research stations established elsewhere in the Empire. The official opening of the .insectary and laboratory at the Institute will take place on December 13th on the occasion of the visit to Nelson of the Secretary for State for Dominion Affairs, Mr L. S. Amery. The interior of the large insectary, in which particular attention will be devoted to blackberry parasites, has been planted with numerous varieties of the order rosaceae in order to permit of exhaustive trials being made of the insects under survey. A shipment of the new ragwort parasite, identified as a species of homoeosoma vagella, gathered in Gippsland, Victoria, by Dr. Tillyard diuring his present visit to Australia, has been received for trial at the Cawthron Institute. The new insectary and laboratory have been designed to provide the utmost precautions against the escape of any insect that mav be introduced for trial purposes. Specially durable phosphor bronze gauze of very fine mesh, double-doored, baffle chamber, and single-way entrance to the insectary are features designed to prevent any possible escape of insects which are on trial. The scheme of testing out introduced insects also is very drastic, and liberation will be consented to only when these tests have been successfully passed.