GARDEN PESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1941, Page 9

GARDEN PESTS

Two very troublesome and destructive pests which are very common this year are the caterpillars of the white butterfly and the diamond back moth. Both have had conditions to their liking this year, and they have taken full advantage of them. The damage done by these two pests is similar —they attack cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and, in fact, all members of the brassica family, eating holes in the leaves and in severe attacks, nothing but the midrib and the stronger veins are left.

The white butterfly (Pieris brassicae) has been very evident this season, and its caterpillars have done a lot of damage. There are at least two broods of the butterflies in one season, but the late one which appears in February and March is the most destructive. It is unwise to apply poisonous sprays to maturing larassicas, but dusting or spraying with a derris preparation is recommended. Young caterpillars are more readily destroyed by derris than the more matured ones, so that an application should be made as soon as the pest is seen. The. diamond back moth is really more destructive than the white butterfly, for while the latter eats the outer

leaves of the former attacks the insjd'' x nd spoils the edible part. Spray: th blackleaf 40 and soapy water , the plants are young, and dusting with derris powder - later, is recommended.