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    Comments on the ecology of grass grub and porina caterpillar

    Pottinger, R. P.
    Abstract
    The object of this paper is to discuss the ecology of grass grub, Costelytra zealandica White, and porina, Wiseana cervinata (Walker), New Zealand’s most important pastoral insect pests, and to survey what has been achieved in ecological understanding of these insects. The biology and ecology of either or both insects have previously been reviewed by Dumbleton (1942), Miller (1945), Kelsey (1951a, b) and Hoy (1963). The lack of fundamental biological information on grass grub (and this is equally applicable to porina caterpillar) and the need for longterm team studies were stressed, although little sustained, co-ordinated research has since eventuated. Examination of the literature clearly indicates that the lack of fundamental ecological research on these pasture pests is directly due to the introduction of organochlorine insecticides, particularly DDT, to control both porina and grass grub. These insecticides proved cheap, persistent in soil, relatively safe to handle and easy to apply (Kelsey and Hay., 1950; Kelsey 1951a, b, 1952, 1959). DDT was so effective that it led to complacency, in spite of the warning by Miller (1945) that in his view no single control would suffice. There was failure to anticipate: (1) Development of insect resistance. to insecticides. (2) Possible alteration of tolerance limits for insecticides in foodstuffs, by countries importing New Zealand produce. (3) Failure of DDT to be effective in certain soils. (4) The need for fundamental knowledge, in case the efficacy of DDT and related insecticides diminished, and new methods had to be found.... [Show full abstract]
    Keywords
    grass grub; porina caterpillar; insect pests; ecology; pasture pests
    Fields of Research
    070308 Crop and Pasture Protection (Pests, Diseases and Weeds); 060808 Invertebrate Biology; 050103 Invasive Species Ecology
    Date
    1968
    Type
    Conference Contribution - Published (Conference Paper)
    Collections
    • Department of Pest Management and Conservation [646]
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    Copyright © The Authors and New Zealand Grassland Association.
    Citation
    Pottinger, R. P. (1968). Comments on the ecology of grass grub and porina caterpillar. In Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association, 30, 102-113.
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