BLACKBERRIES CHECKED
ATTACKED BY STRANGE INSECT
DISCOVERY AT THAMES Press Association THAMES, Today. For some time past observers have noticed that where blackberry vines were in small clumps they were not making the progress in spreading that they did in former years. This prompted a farmer interested in the pest to take closer notice. As a result of his observations, he found the blackberry was being attacked very vigorously by an insect which was doing a great amount of damage. Investigations were made on farms on both sieves of the Coromandel Range, and he found that the insect attacks were causing the plants to die. The older leaves were riddled with holes, and young shoots were withered and dead. It was observed that an insect similar to the ladybird, only black, infested the plants. When the leaves were turned over colonies were found eating vigorously at the old leaves also the stems of plants. Especially was this the case where there were isolated clumps. No eggs were found. It is not known how the insect came, but it will be a boon to farmers if it continues its labours. So far, it has not been seen on any other plants. It has been noticed since 1927 that blackberries that used to run riot over thousands of acres have received a check.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SUNAK19291128.2.112
Bibliographic details
Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 832, 28 November 1929, Page 11
Word Count
221BLACKBERRIES CHECKED Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 832, 28 November 1929, Page 11
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