INSECT WARFARE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 450, 4 September 1928, Page 8

INSECT WARFARE

FIGHTING NOXIOUS WEEDS ALLIES OR ENEMIES? 1 (Special to THE BUX) , WELLINGTON, To-daw ” Evidence of the care which n. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research lavishes upon its cam. paign against noxious weeds « contained in the announcement th a . the release of the moth imported t 0 attack ragwort is delayed. For two years the moth, known scientifically as tyria jacobaeae, ha* been undergoing tests at Nelson and these have preved very satisfactory The final tests, however, revealed on, case where the moth was reported to have attacked potatoes and to deter, mine this, large varieties of potatoes have been planted in the iusectary at the Cawthron Institute in order that the matter be fully investigated before the moth is released. The last two seasons in Europe hate been extremely unfavourable for the collection of species from blackberries to be brought to New Zealand and tested as to their suitability in the new campaign by use of insect* against the noxious weed. The insects previously imported developed a high mortality which made the tasi of collecting information about them very difficult, but now supplies hare been arranged from America and the insects will be. available in sufficient numbers for the difficulties (largely those of acclimitisation) to be overcome. In order to expedite the wort arrangementts have been made for the co-operation of the Empire -Mar keting Board Experimental Station at Farnham Royal. In addition, arrangements have just been completed for the shipment of a bidi-bid moth from Chili. These moths should arrive in time for their offensive powers against the New Zealand bidi-bid to be determined this spring.