DOMINION FORESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1932, Page 2

DOMINION FORESTS

J- AVAGES OF HORNTAIL BORER. ■SUCCESSiIfL parasite obtained. (Per Pr€ss Association — Copyright.) NELSON, October 12. During ' the last few ' years, the attention of those interested.. in the commercial production of pine trees . has been drawn to the activities of the steel blue horntai] borer, which is now well established in the Dominion. Though ijppes- .not. damage vigorous trees, it is’ much too common to be discarded, as being of minor importance.. The parasite of this borer, being ■. occur in England, ,I)r D. M-il'er, Director of the Entomological Department of the Cawthron Institute arranged with the Director of the Farnham Royal parasite Laboratory for the parasite to be, studied. Supplies were gent to New Zealand.

Tin's was quite a new departure hi biological control, in that it was the first attempt made t-o transport the parasite of a wood-boring insect from ODe country to another, and to establish if in a new environment. Several consignments of the par^sit 6 were sent to the Cgwtluon Institute, where the work has been carried opt as one of the major operations. Though many of the parasites perished befpre reaching maturity, a considerable number survived, and many of them were liberated among the borer-infected trees near Blenheim, Hammer and Moutere, while others were retained at tho Cawthron Institute,

That there was some possibility of the parasite succeeding in this .country was shown by tho activities of the insect in locating the position of its victims in the infested trees, prior to piercing the bank, and in laying its eggs on the' boring grubs. However, whether- this" had been successfully accomplished or plot could not* be practically ascertained, the parasitised borer being concealed within the timber. In consequence, a careful watch was- kept, for the- emergence of adult parasites from the tree's m which the parasites were known to have laid their eggs. During the 1/ost week or two, these emergencies have... been taking, place *n ; ' the try at (the. Cawthron Institute, end there is every reason to expect the -s-arne is taking place in the plantations at Blenheim, Hanme-r Moutere.t; v ,i:« v. -.. / The appearance of thi s ' first generation of the/ parasite to be reared i;n Ne-w Zealand is -ope of the most important developments in insect pest control during the year,' and it gives great promise -of the successful estab-' li&hment of'the -parasite: and. the subjection of „the horntail .borer in the Dominion. -