CATERPILLAR PEST

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1933, Page 7

CATERPILLAR PEST

CROP ATTACKED AT DROMORE. CHRISTCHURCH, October 19. About 12 acres of a thriving crop of wheat were consumed by caterpillars on the farm of Mr 0. R. Bladder, Dromore, during the last two days, and the’ quick action of Mr Bladder yesterday morning in ploughing several deep furrows through the crop checked the activities of the posts, which threatened to destroy most of the crop of 70 acres in two paddocks. The caterpillars first, made their appearance in an adjoining paddock of twitch and rough, dry grass owned by the Ashburton County Council, and large numbers made their way through gaps in the gorse fence on Monday, but during the heat yesterday morning, large hordes swarmed through the fence andproceeded through the crop, most of which was eaten off at the ground, while many stems were stripped of

the flag. Large patches, sonic an acre in area, were eaten out of the crop, which was not attacked in a face. Numbers of the stronger caterpillars could he traced out in the centre of the crop, where they had retired under stones and clods of earth after having satisfied themselves on the tender flag of the wheat. The effect of the furrowg as a means of checking their progress was demonstrated by the large number that were trapped in the bottom of the furrow.

An aspect of the caterpillar pest, which is causing some concern, is the Were numbers of young caternillftrs which are particularly noticeable on mak’n" a close examination of the grass •paddocks

Yesterday a Ter nor. n the staff of the County Council burnt firebreaks on the eastern side of the reserves where the cater , 'illars were first located, nrepnratory to running a. fire through the rank, dry crass this morninc. Even on the small area, which was burnt yesterday hundreds of dead caterpillars were to he found.