THE SANDFLY PEST

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1928, Page 4

THE SANDFLY PEST

RROSI’FCTS Of CONTROL. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 9. When Air A. F. Wright drew the attention of the Progress League to the unpleasant features of the sandlly, that body decided to write to the Government Entomologist with a view to getting expert information on the subject. Air P. R. t limie, the League organiser, has received the following from Air .Miller, the Government Entomologist “ Though nothing is being done to attempt control of .sandflies in New Zealand, observations have been carried out for several years on the nature of the species and their breeding grounds, stub information being fundamental to any control campaign. “There is no doubt that the sandlly problem, like that of the mosquitoes, is of considerable importance from the directly human standpoint, and il the pests (otild he cheeked the only serious drawback, perhaps excepting mosquitoes, to many tourist resorts ol the Dominion would he at least mitigated. “ The problem ol sandlly control presents considerable difficulties, owing to the fact that the chief breeding grounds are in the water ol rapidly flowing streams and especially in waterfalls. though some species breed in still water.

••One of the most promising lines ol attack would he the use of natural enemies that live upon the ncqnatic stages of the sandflies: and on this 1 shall make inquiries abroad in order to ascertain the possibilities of securing h r New Zealand some of the natural enemies known to exist in other parts ol the world. When further information is available on this matter I shall communicate it to you.”