AUSTRALIAN WHITE ANTS.

Shannon News, 11 December 1923, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN WHITE ANTS.

IMPORTED IN HARDWOOD

TIMBER.

WARNING FROM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

A circular was received from the Public Works Department by the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday sitting that pome specimens taken in this country from imported Australian hardwood had been identified as belonging to the worker caste of one of the larger white ants of Australia. Other specimens taken proved to -be that very injurious insect—the firewood beetle, the larvae of which as white grubs tunneled between the bark and wood of Australian trees. Although in some cases it had been found that these insects had been attacked and killed by New Zealand beetles it did not follow that this would always occur and it Was therefore necessary that every precaution should be taken to exterminate the Australian white ants. Firewood beetle egg deposits were traceable in summer, following their placing, by fairly large holes in the poles, ancT these should be carefully looked for where the opportunity presented. These, insects caused great damage to timber both felled and growing), and were responsible in Australia for damage to forests), fences, houses, railway sleepers, etc., estimated at millions ' of pounds. In order to minimise the risk of these insects establishing themselves in New. Zealand, engineers were asked to issue definite instructions to ail their staff concerned with the handling of hardwood that all loose pieces of bark be removed at the. first opportunity after delivery. The presen@e oT white ants could always be detected by the roofed galleries which they made, and which are typically roofed over by finely ■ chewed wood. Unless these are carefully sought for the presence of the insects themselves might not be noticed. It might be mentioned, as an indication of the necessity for careful examination that in one case theVe were discovered a number of “nymphs,” or immature sexual forms, which in the course of a week or two would have developed wings, spread over the countryside, and commebced their work of destruction. The matter was one the. importance of which it was almost impossible to overstate and it was hoped that all officers would do< everything possible to prevent the spread of such ■a plague. ; A further circular emphasised the need for the immediate burning of all bark affected by insect pests. Further specimens of insect larvae found in hardwood timber delivered in,the Dominion had been proved, to belong to the family .Xytoryctidae. These larvae boed in • the trunks and, branches of trees and bushes and,did a great deal of harm, while several species had bebecome serious orchard' pests in Australia.

The chairman remarked that it had been considered that the ants would not thrive in New Zealand; still parts were as warm as Australia and he did not see' why they shouldn’t. The circular did not apply to the Council so much as to the Power Boards, as the Council did not import much timber with bark upon it. The circular was received.