TO COMBAT RAGWORT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 10

TO COMBAT RAGWORT

CINNEBAR MOTH RELEASED By Tblegeaph.—Pees? Association. Nelson, February 22. A Government permit was received by telegraph yesterday afternoon by the Director of the Cawthron Institute (Professor T. H. Easterfield) for the liberation of larvae of the Cinnebar moth, which have been bred in the noxious Weeds control insectary. Dr. Tillyard, Mr. David Miller (Government Entomologist), and Mr. Tonnoir (Field Entomologist under the Marketing Board’s scheme) were summoned, and a number of the larvae were removed from the inseclnry to a patch of ragwort which lias been planted in the grounds of the institute. The first caterpillar was formally placed on a ragwort plant by Dr. Tillyard, who has been in charge of the scheme. The remaining larvae were then liberated by other members of the party. It was interesting to notice the eagerness with which the caterpillars attacked the ragwort. Observations in the insectary have shown that though the tyria larvae feed greedily upon ragwort, they show an aversion to all other plants upon winch they have been placed, with the sole exception of groundsel, for which, however, they show a limited appetite only. The permit issued by the Government is not a general one. and it is unlikely that the Itivae can be distributed to farmers during the present season.