DESTRUCTIVE GRASS GRUB

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2725, 21 March 1916, Page 6

DESTRUCTIVE GRASS GRUB

RAVAGES THE BASIN RESERVE.

A good many people; with lawns, and some of the bowling clubs, have been troubled a good deal lately with the havoc played with the sward bv a formidable grass grub, which is difficult to eradicate. It is. believed that the grub (scientifically known as Odontria Zealandica), which is a browny-green cater-pillar-like insect, about an inch and a quarter, in length—is the product in some way or other of the prolonged dry season. It has played up with the Seatoun Bowling Club's green for several weeks past, turning up huge casts all over the green every ipovning. The grub has now infested the Basin Reserve, and any morning, preferably after a heavy dew or rain, the grubs can be seen literally by the .thousand, having come out of their burrowsT-for the holes they make aro fully a quarter of an inch in diameter—to get a little moisture. As the day wears on, and the ground dries up, they disappear in the earth again, to resume their tunnelling operations. The attention of the Reserves Committee has been drawn to the matter by tho custodian of- the Basm Reserve, and there have been communications on the matter' between the City, Council authorities and the Agricultural, Department. Ono alleged cure advocated is to flood with watei that part of the ground affected, then when the grubs appear put a roller over the ground .and. kill them.