THE EARWIG PEST.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4825, 4 May 1925, Page 2

THE EARWIG PEST.

A SERIOUS VISITATION. ACTION OF ORCHARDISTS. That the orchardists of Otago fully appreciate the efforts of Mr Miller, the Government Entomologist, in. his research work aud assistance in combating the various pests with which the industry is afflicted, has been amply demonstrated by the requests which have gone forward to the Government that Mr Miller should be sent to the Conference of Entomologists to be held in. London in June this year.

Orchard pests in thq nature of insects necessitate a more or less continuous light by the crchardists against heavy and it is becoming generally recognised, that the most effective method of dealing with these pests is .through the use of the natural parasite. Proof of this has been amply demonstrated in the excellent results that are being obtained by the parasite of the jyoolly aphis —namely, the Aphelinus Mali. This parasite is gradually eliminating the woolly aphis in Otago, and excellent results are also bqing obtained in trie north. In the northern districts the mealy bug, which threatened to become a serious menace, is also being successfully combated by its natural parasite;

Otago is now faced with a serious problem in the form of the alarming increase a,nd depredations pi the earwig. This pest now exists in countless millions, and although in the early stages it confined its attentions only to decayed or blemished fruit, it is mow attacking the . fruit in the sound, and, in many cases, the hard, green stage. Orchardists view this visitation very seriously, and it was with a view to. securing, if possible, a reliable method of dealing with the same that, they have been .so strenuously supporting the request that Mr Miller should be sent to thq Entomologists’ Conference in London. The request has been supported from one end of New Zealand to the other ; but so far the Minister for Agriculture has not been able to see his way to give the necessary consent. The position at present is that the assistant entomologist is also. absent from the Dominion on long leave, and it would be out of the question to attempt to carry on for a period of months without a trained entomological officer being available qu the stajf.

An intimation to this effect has been received by the Otago Provincial Fruit-growers’ Council; but the Minister mentions that as .the assistant entomologist, Mr Myers, is at present in the United States of America ac : quiring further knowledge, it is under consideration at the present time whether, if the Dominion is to be represented at all at the conference, arrangements should be made, if possible, for Mr Myers to <itt’.m<l, seeing that it would entail only a relatively short Journey for him. Although the orchardists feel that, on account of his ckpe association with that Industry Mr Miller would be the better person to send, it will be generally conceded that if Mr Miller is unable to go it certainly should be a strong recommendation that Mr Myers be sent.

it is difficult to under-estimate the seriousness of the ear-wig pest, an l it is hoped that the representations that are being made will have the desired result.—Times, Dunedin.