Hessian Fly in South

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 12 (Supplement)

Hessian Fly in South

DAMAGE TO CROPS. CHRIST CHURCH, Feb. 12. Farmers in various Canterbury districts have noticed this year a mysterious breaking over of many stems in some wheat crops. An examination has proved that tho trouble is duo to an attack of Hessian Fly. In an interview this morning, Mr. R. McGillivray, Fields Superintendent of tho Department of Agriculture, said tho trouble with tho Hessian Fly Boomed much more widespread than usual, but it was only in isolated cases that tho attack had led to serious damage. However, it was a post that could do very grout damage at times. Tho crop generally attacked was wheat, but Mr. McGillivray had also seen damage in barley, and had boon told of damage in rye crops. Tho Hessian Fly was well known in tho Northern Hemisphere, and had done considerable damage at times to both wheat and barley crops. It had evidently been introduced into New Zealand by accident at somo time. Some farmers, he said, showed considerable uneasiness, but his own opinion was that effective control of the Hessian Fly would bo brought about by natural parasites which preyed upon , the rest.