THE BLACKBERRY BUG
COMMON ORCHARD PEST. GREAT MENACE AND NO VALUE. The insect which has been reported from many parts of the country as haying been attacking the blackberry plant is no new discovery, and as a means of checking the greatest weed of the Dominion is of no value whatever. It is but the common bronze beetle, which is well known to orchardists as a great pest, and which the Government Entomological Department and the Cawthron Institute have for five years or more been seeking means to combat. The fact that it is turning its attention to blackberry is an indication of its adaptability and great increase. This information is contained in a report which Mr R. Denize, Government. stock inspector, has received from the Government Entomologist, to whom he sent specimens some weeks ago. Mr Muggeridge had no difficulty in identifying the beetle. The beetle resembles the ladybird, but. is of a bronze colour. In orchards it hibernates on the ground during the day and attacks the leaves of fruit trees, particularly peaches, during the night. Spraying is of no avail, and the only effective way of combating it is to spread boards which have been newly tarred under the fruit trees and then shake the branches. The beetles curl up and fall on to the wet tar.
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Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5514, 16 December 1929, Page 2
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220THE BLACKBERRY BUG Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5514, 16 December 1929, Page 2
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