NEW INSECT PEST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 20, 19 October 1920, Page 10

NEW INSECT PEST

OAT CHOP ATTACKED. Reports recently reached the New South- AVnlea Minister for Agriculture regarding n new insect pest in oat crops in the Delnngrn district, and he accordingly sent the Depiirtment's entomologist '(Mr. If'roggatt) to make inquiries on the spot. Mr. Froggatt reported that, though mitea such ns "red spidra'" and "spinning mites" attack vegetables and fruit trees, there was no previous ivcord or iui infestation of the present magnitude where millions of these insects were attacking oat crops. The now pest is described as smaller than a pin's haul, has a rounded diil'bluo body and brilliant red ljgs; yr Wongs to the family eupodidoe, all of which aro very active soft-bodied mites liviug on the ground in damp places. , . , Their method of attack is .to rest tm tho flag of thp oats and snok up the sap with their sharp beaks. In several paddocks visited by the entonio og.st thoy were resting on the (big in millions, and tho infested crop in consequence was brown and wilted on the lop ns if burnt bv a sharp frost. Infesting a? thoy dn areas of 15 to 20 acres, with n dense rank growth of 8 to 12 inches, it is difhcult o prescribo a satisfactory remedy. If filiowl'iT conditions continued the pest | would probably do considerable damage, but a spell of dry weather would prnbablv cheek it more than any artificial methods that could bo resorted to.