FOREST PESTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20093, 24 November 1930, Page 10

FOREST PESTS.

attempt at control,

WORK OF BIOVOGICAL

RESEARCH STATION

Attempts to control the different bark beetles whicli attack exotic trees in New Zealand and the aphis which attacks the spruce are now being made by the Forest Biological Research Station, the headquarters of which are in Nelson. This work has already met with some success, according to Mr C. E. Foweraker, chairman of the committee which directs the work of the station. He returned on Saturday from a meeting of the committee in Nelson. Explaining the functions of the committee, Mr FoweraKer said that it had been established by the Department of Scientific Research to direct all that research which had a biological bearing on New Zealand forestry. Its scope was wide but it 3 main activities pertained to problems in forest entomology and forest mycology. The entomological work was carried out in the now research station which adjoins the Cawthron Institute in Nelson, while arrangements were being made to prosecute the work in mycology at the Plant Research Station at Palmcrston North, where Dr. Cunningham would be in charge.

Survey of Forest Insects. The entomological research had been | proceeding for some time, one of the ! biggest tasks being a complete survey of the forest insects of the Dominion. This phase of the work included the war which was being waged on the bark beetles and the spruce aphis. The mycological work would start immediately, arrangements having been made for laboratory accommodation and equipment at Palmerston North. Contact With ..Other Stations. At the meeting last week, said Mr Foweraker, the Director of the Station (Dr. David Miller) chief entomologist at the Cawthron Institute, who had but lately returned from a tour abroad, submitted a full report showing that he had established relations with similar stations abroad, chiefly in Europe and North and South America, having spent much time in Chile. One of the things he had done was to obtain information about the parasites of certain New Zealand forest inspect pests, particularly of the spruce aphis. It had been intended, added Mr Foweraker, to have the official opening of the now station while the committee was meeting in Nelson but this had had to be postponed. Members of the committee besides; Mr Foweraker are: Professor T. H. Easterfield (Cawthron Institute), Messrs C. M. Smith and F. Foster (State Forest Service), Messrs Owen Jones and N. G. Gribble (Timber Growers' Association), Dr. Miller (Director), and Mr F. K. Callaghan (secretary).