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CATERPILLARS ATTACK
CROPS AND HERBAGE
BREED FREELY AFTER RAIN.
The Minister for Agriculture,
Major A. D. Reid, M.L.A., has
received a report from the En
tomologist, Mr W. B. Gurney,
concerning swarms of caterpillars
attacking weeds and some also
attacking crops.
Stock inspectors and others have
reported the presence of large
swarms of small caterpillars feeding
on and destroying herbage and
weeds, chiefly in the north-western
districts such as Moree, Warialda,
Narrabri, Walgett, and Pilliga.
The Entomologist states that the
depredations are due to the attack
of caterpillars on the weed web moth
(loxostege Affinitalis), which charac
teristically spread a film of webbing
over the plants they feed on.
Drought conditions from Decem
ber to February last held up the de
velopment of web caterpillars, but
they have now hatched and develop
ed freely following the rains of
March and the growth of succulent
harbage.
The adult moth of this caterpillar
is a small brown one of a lighter
somewhat buff color on the under
surface of the wings and they are to
be seen now flying freely among the
infested weeds.
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