Cawthron Institute Research Articles

Methods for collecting Parasites of Earwigs

It is widely known that the biological method for the control of insect pests is receiving considerable attention from Economic Entomologists at the present day. One of the insects against which this method is being tried is the common earwig (Forficula auricularia), which is a very serious pest of orchards, etc., in such countries as New Zealand where it it has been accidentally introduced from Europe.Through co-operation between the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, Rothamsted Experimental Station, and the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, attempts have been made to control the earwig in New Zealand by the introduction of two Tachinid flies that are parasitic on it, Digonochaeta setipennis, Fln., and Rhacodineura antiqua, Meig. These flies are obligatory parasites, being entirely dependent on this particular host for the completion of their life-cycle, and they are lethal in effect. The larvae having emerged from their dead or moribund host, soon pupate, and it is in the pupal stadium that these insects can most conveniently be transmitted in cold storage. Mr. A. M. Altson, of the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, was in charge of this work in England in 1924 and 1925, but, unfortunately, owing to ill-health he was obliged to give it up. In the autumn of 1926, at the request of Dr. Tillyard, it was decided to forward a further batch of parasitic puparia to New Zealand. For this purpose large quantities of earwigs had to be captured in the field, and transferred to cages in the laboratory, in order that the parasites which emerged from the earwigs could be collected.

XXII. The Venation of the Hepialidae. Alfred Philpott, Hon. Research Student in Lepidoptera, Cawthron Institute, Nelson

XXII. <i>The Venation of the</i> Hepialidae. A<scp>lfred</scp> P<scp>hilpott</scp>, Hon. Research Student in Lepidoptera, Cawthron Institute, Nelson

Undescribed Species of Crane-Flies from New Zealand

The new species of New Zealand Tipulidae described in this paper were included in extensive collections sent to the writer by Dr. Campbell, collected by Messrs. Gourlay, Harris, Howes and himself; collections from Dr. Tillyard and Mr. Philpott in the Cawthron Institute; and a small but interesting lot from the alpine zone of Mt. Ruapehu, sent by Mr. Watt. The writer is very greatly indebted to all the above mentioned gentlemen for this material. The holotypes are preserved in the writer’s collection except where stated to the contrary.

The Cawthron Institute, Nelson, N.Z

THE building and grounds in which the staff of the Cawthron Institute of Scientific Research has commenced its work were formally opened on Saturday evening, April 2, by his Excellency Lord Tellicoe, Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand. The building is a fourteen-roomed house, formerly the residence of the late Mr. John Sharp and has been fitted up with che'mical and biological laboratories, a library, a museum, and offices. Ine grounds provide room for a considerable amount ot investigational work, but an experimental orchard and a site for an arboretum have been secured elsewhere After being shown over the building by the trustees and staff, Lord and Lady Jellicoe adjourned to the School of Music, where a very enthusiastic gathering of citizens awaited them.