WHITE BUTTERFLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 85, 12 April 1937, Page 11

WHITE BUTTERFLY

USE OF PARASITES

WORK REVIEWED

The parasites liberated by the Fields Division' of the Department of Agriculture to combat the; white butterfly have definitely proved to be a safeguard against the spreading of the pest, according to a statement made at Christchurch son' Friday: by ;the fields superintendent, Mr. R. McGillivray (.states the "Press"). Although complaints are still coming in from various districts from farmers about the prevalence of the white butterfly, the progress made in other districts shows that the introduction of the parasites has been well justified.

Reviewing .the progress that had been made in the last three seasons since the introduction of the parasite, Mr. McGillivray said that in all 200,000 or more had been distributed throughout Canterbury, Marlborough, Westland, and Nelson during that period.

"In some districts a considerable number of complaints'have been received by the Department from farmers and others. about the danger at present caused to gardens and crops by white butterflies," said Mr. McGillivray. ' "The parasites which have been liberated by the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture are doing excellent work, and there seems no reason why a very considerable measure of control should not be obtained next season. Examinations on two different occasions have shown that the parasites"-. have affected the control of the pest by about ,60 per cent, and; with an increase in the number of. parasites.... liberated: this year, it is, expected that a still, higher percentage of control will! be obtained. .!

"In some districts the chief damage was in garden crops, but the pest also affected rape and chdu mollier, and kale. At the present time the white butterfly is fairly plentiful in . the Southbridge district, but the Department is arranging for a supply "of parasites to be liberated in that district soon.; , "The wet season, has held.-up the activity of the parasite, but it .must be remembered that the.white butterfly has also been affected by the cold,wet weather,,and there have not been ; the same number of broods. : .".In- some districts,1 however, the parasite has' exerted a wonderful control," said Mr. McGillivray, "especially in the Kaikouira district, where the pest was extremely bad two years ago."