NOXIOUS WEED PESTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 24, 20 April 1927, Page 2

NOXIOUS WEED PESTS

A CONCENTRATED ATTACK IMPORTED PARASITES USED (.From i)ur Resident Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Farmers whose interests are msti aced by the prevalence of noiioul weeds will find a measure of comfort in the pronouncement of the chairman of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe, who stated to-day that marked progress has been made in the examination of insects imported from abroad for attack on noxious weeds. The ragwort parasite Tyria jacobeaea has multiplied very rapidly, necessitating the securing of additional supplies of ragwort. “Liberation of this parasite, wiuca promises so well,” he said, “has been deferred until further exhaustive trials have been conducted on such plants u cineraria. The gorse parasite A?ion ulicie also will be submitted to very extensive trials before liberation here, this being especially necessary on »c* count of possible harm to our nativi legumes such as kowhai and cliantbui This latter parasite has been subjected to rigorous feeding tests, to starvation point, on host plants of <**>• nomic importance; but there are eral species of New Zealand host phwts yet to be tried exhaustively in this connection. „ It is obvious that the research extend over a long period in order that Dr. Tillyard and the committee way be completely satisfied that no handful results will follow before liberaiflS any particular species of insect.