MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1938, Page 2

MAORI MEMORIES

INSECTS (Ngararu.) (Recorded by J.H.S. for “Times-Age.”) Indigenous insects in New Zealand were almost as rare as her animals. Could we but have foreseen the devastation caused by imported insects, millions of pounds per annum would have been saved by preventive measures. They thrive in our genial clime as in no other land. A prominent feature of preventive measures is the tardy indifference of farmers, scientists, and the authorities until it is too late to control the spread of weeds, birds, insects and animals. New Zealand’s butterflies (Pepepe) were few and none had the glorious colour of imported ones. The cockshafer, for which we have lost a Maori name, is destructive both as a grub and a beetle. Their eggs are laid deep in the ground for safety, but some imported birds have found their secret. Native birds are not yet educated as destroyers. We had no large spiders (Pungawerewere). The Katipo is our only venomous creature. Its sting is more painful and poisonous than that of a bee. Its home is found among dried seaweed and drift on the sea coast. Nature kindly warns us by a blood red mark on its back and head. The Mason bee of the North Island seemingly had no good purpose in nature and was not a credit to the bee tribe, though it was their only representative here. Its purpose in life was to block up keyholes and corners with puddled clay. The Weta or Puta Weta (grub borer) perforates trees, killing some varieties. It is a fat white grub two or three inches long. A food much relished by the Maoris when cased in clay and roasted in the ashes.

Mosquitos (Ngaeroa) were a double curse in swamp or ■ bush, their stinging and singing at night making sleep most difficult and unpleasant. 4