FARM PESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1933, Page 3

FARM PESTS

METHODS of ERADICATION. Particulars of the weed and insect ijJests, which \cause tblie New Zealand fanner huge losses annually were dedt with a,t Hamilton by Dr Dsivcd Miller, of the iCavv.hron Institute, last week. Describing the habits of the grates grubs, -Dr Miller sad that once the insect had si good hold on a piece of pasture the grass did not recover readily. It also had the effect of preventing the ifiree flow of moisture to the roots of the grass by pulverising the adjoining soil. When the im s ect made (its appearance on lawns and bowling greens it could be eradicated 'by means of chemicals. In pastures all grasses were not equally susceptible, and some would be left almost untouched, while others a few yards away would have died.

The key to t,he situation, continued Dr 'Miller, was the finding of the right •parasite. A few ,years ago a beetle similar, to the grass grub was found to be doing a great deaf of damage near Philadelphia, in the United States. It was found that this ipest (had originated in Japan, and as the > result of in that country | a parasite had been 'found. Jn Chile', however, there were about six parasites operating, .and 'a small .shipment had 'been 'brought to Nelson. Unfortunately these parasites had been found to have 'been preyed upon by another insect, .and ia larger shipment w?s being arranged, 'from which excel out results were expected. When all the known methods of control had been applied .there would be at least an 80 per cent, control of the pest. The need for .com-, bating this particular pest'was evident. whe n it was 'remembered that it caused damage to pasture amounting to approximately £1,500,000 annually. By the combined depredations of the diamond-backed moth and the turnip aphis, continued Dr Miller, the farmers in New Zealand lest another £2,000,000 a year. There were several parasites preying on the dianiondbacked moth that could be obtained from Europe. Another pest that the dairy farmer should watch carefully was tb,& ordinary house-fly. It was quite probable that these assisted in spreading mammitis, and investigation on the point would be well worth while. The combined effect of the house-fly and the stable-fly resulted in a reduction of milk yield during the flush months of the season that Was estimated at £950,000. Both these .pests were easily controlled.