Zanzidar Wasps for P-NG
p. 133 · Read in the full issue
FOLLOWING Western Samoa’s ex ample, the Department of Agriculture in Papua-New Guinea is to import the Scolid wasp from Mauritius and Zanzibar to help eradicate rhinoceros and elephant beetles from coconut plantations.
The wasp feeds on the lavae of these pests. A search will also be made in Mombasa for a natural enemy of the giant snail, a war-time legacy from the Japs.
The man entrusted with the job of selecting the wasps, etc., is Mr.
G. S. Dun, Government entomoligist
who will leave shortly for Africa. During his absence from the Territory his work at Keravat will be taken over by Mr. Charles Barrett, Australian naturalist (and father of Rabaul’s elected MLC Mr. Don Barrett). He will take delivery of the parasites and release them in selected areas.
Western Samoa, which has a higher rate of rhinocerous beetle in festation than P-NG, imported its Zanzibar wasps in 1945-46. A survey this year showed that damage from the beetles was much less than previously but the investigating scientists stated that this was “not altogether due to the wasps”.