CONTROL OF WHITE BUTTERFLY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 73, 13 April 1937, Page 5

CONTROL OF WHITE BUTTERFLY

— PreBB Assooiation.)

Tbree Years' Work in tbe South Reviewed SUCCESS CLAIMED

(By Telegraph

CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The parasites liberated by the Fields Division of tbe Depaijtment of Agriculture to combat tbe white butterfly bave proved to be a safeguard against tb© spreading of tbe pest, aceording to a statement made by the fields superintendent, Mr R. McJKdllivray. Althougb complaints are still coming in from various districts from farmers about tbe prevalence of tbe wbite butterfly, tbe progress made in otber districts shows tbat tbe jntroduction of tbe parasites has been well justified. Reviewing tbe progress tbat bad been made in the South Island in tbe last tbree seasons since tbe introduction of tbe parasite, Mr McGilbvray said tbat in all 200,000 or more bad been distributed throughout Canterbury, Marlborough, Westland, and Nelson during tbat period. "In some districts a considerable number of complaints bave been received by tbe department from farmers and others about the danger at present caused to gardens by wbdte butterflies," said Mr McGillivray. "Tbe parasites wbich bave been liberated by tbe Fields pivision of tbe Department of Agriculture are doing excellent work and tbere seems no reason wby a very considerable measure of control should not be obtained next season. Examinations on two different occasions bave sbcwn tbat tbe parasites bave affected tbe control of the pest by about 60 per cent., and witb an increase in tbe number of parasites liberated this year it is expected tbat a still higher percentage of control will be obtained. "In some districts tbe chief damage was to garden crops, but tbe pest also affected rape and cbou mollier, and kale. At tbe present time tbe white butterfly is fairly plentiful in tbe Southbridge district, but the department is arranging for a supply of para, sites to be liberated in tbat district soon. "Tbe wet season has held up tbe activity of tbe parasite, but it must be remembered tbat the wbite butterfly has also been affected by the cold, wet weather, and there bave not been the same number oi broods. "In some districts, bowever, tbe parasite has exerted a wonderful control," said Mr McGillivray, "especially in tbe Kaikoura district, where tbe Pest was extremely bad two years ago,"