FOREST PESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1930, Page 8

FOREST PESTS

WORK OF BIOLOGICAL. i RESEARCH STATION. Attempts to control the different baric beetles which attack exotic trees in New . Zealand and -tne aphis which attacks the spruce are now being made oy the Forest Biological Research Station, the headquarters of which are in Nelson. This work has already met with some success, according to Mr C. E. Foweraker, chairman of the committee which directs the work of the station. He returned oil Saturday from a meeting of the committee in Nelson.

Explaining tbe functions of the committee, Mr Foweraker said that it had been established by the Department of Scientific Research to direct all that research which had a biological bearing on New Zealand .forestry. Its scope was wide but its main activities pertained to problems in forest entomology and forest mycology. The entomological work was cai'ried out i.n the new research station which adjoins the Cawthron Institute in Nelson while arrangements were being made to prosecute the work in mycology at the Plant Research Station at Palmerston North, where Dr Cunningham would be in charge. SURVEY OF FOREST INSECTS. The entomological research had been proceeding for some time; one of the biggest tasks being a complete survey of tbe forest insects of the Dominion. This phase of the work included the war which was being raged on the bark beetles and the spruce aphis.

The myoologieal work would start immediately, . arrangements having been made for laboratory accommodation and equipment at Palmerston North.

CONTACT' WITH OTHER STATIONS

At tbe meeting last week, said Mr Foweraker. tbe Director of the Station (Dr David Miller) chief entomologist at the Cawthron Institute, who had but lately returned from a tour abroad, submitted a full report showing that be had established relations with similar stations abroad, chiefly in Europe and North and South America, having spent much time in Chili. One of the things be bad done was to obtain information about tbe parasites of certain New Zealand forest insect pests, particularly of tbe spruce aphis. It had been intended, added Mr Foweraker, to have the official opening of tile new station while the committee was meeting in Nelson but this had had to be postponed. Members of the committee besides Mr Foweraker are: Professor T. H. Easterfield (Cawthron Institute), Messrs C. M. Smith and F. Foster (State Forest Service), Messrs Owen Jones and N. G. Cribble (Timber Growers’ Association), Dr Miller (Director), and Mr F. R. Callaghan (secretary).