FLAX GRUB EPIDEMIC

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1915, Page 2

FLAX GRUB EPIDEMIC

IN MANAWATU DISTRICT. The serious spread of the flax grub in the Manawatu district has for some time past been engaging the attention, of Mr. W. H. Field," M.P. for Otaki, who mentioned the matter in Parliament during last session.. He has now received a letter from the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) forwarding a copy of a report from Mr. A. H. Cockayne, the Government Biologist. In that report, Mr. Cockayne states that "the grub is the larva of a native moth known as zanthoros praefectata. In years gone by this insect was kept in check by the periodical flooding of the (lax areas. This flooding killed the insects that were pupating in the ground. Now that the 3wamps are comparatively dry, pupation is carried out without any check ,and the result is that the insect has increased enormously. The question of the control of the grub has been seriously studied for some time, but at present there appear no feasible metlipds that can be adopted. The only line of research that at present offers likelihood of success is the study of natural enemies, both of the predatory and parasitic nature. In order to carry out this work the undivided attention of a special officer would be necessary. The loss experienced is so great, estimated in the case of the Manawatu alone at many thousands of pounds per annum, that I consider the appointment of a qualified officer is fully justified." Mr. Field has forwarded copies of the correspondence to the New Zealand Flaxmillers' Association at Palmerston North, asking it to "give the matter the consideration which the importance of the subject to the industrv appears to merit."—Evening Post.