ONION CROP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1355, 5 February 1912, Page 8

ONION CROP.

ATTACKED BY FLT. Some time ago some young onions growing in u Hobart suburb were found to bo extensively attacked by fsmall maggots, which bored through tho bulb, and ate it away, completely destroying it. Tho Director of Agriculture (Mr. Benson) placed some of the maggots in a breed-ing-bottle. Specimens of a perfect insect developed v.\ due course.' In order, to diterv.iine whether the insect was the onion fly of England, specimens wero eunt- to Mr. ('. 'French, Acting-Govern-ment Entomologist of Victoria. A reply has now been received from Mr. French, who states that the fly is a tpecies of antomyia .very closely allied to the onion fly of Europe and sirni-' lar in its economy. It is only, however, iibout half the size of the European insect. Mr. ■ French states that some years ago a similar fly to tho specimens found near Hobart attacked the onion crops .at Drysdalo and Portland in Victoria, and caused considerable damage. Growers were advised to pull their onions on and burn them, and treat the ground -with lime. After this treatment had been carried out the trouble did not recnr. If tho insect makes its appearance 5n other parts of Tasmania, growers are advised to follow the treatment suggested by Mr. French.