PERIL OF THE FLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3348, 14 October 1911, Page 9

PERIL OF THE FLY.

FIGHT AGAINST INSECT DISEASE CARRIERS.

An information bureau exclusively devoted to the study of the misdeeds of insects of even* description is now an important part of the Natural History branch of the British Museum at South Kensington. Interesting details of the work of the Department of Economic Entomology, as it is called, are given in the annual report of the British Museum, and some idea of the constant fight against various kinds of flies, mosquitoes, moths, and other insect disease carriers may be gathered from the records. Special attention has bene paid to the insects in injuring cotton and other crops of importance in Africa, while among the problems submitted to the department last- year were the following : Injury done to a church roof and panelling of railway carriages by beetle larvae. Damage done by moth and beetle to Army biscuits, on which a report was drawn up by the War Office. Nuisance to Tasmanian cliildren caused by horse-fly. reported by the Chief Health Officer, Tasmania. Beetles which the superintendent of the balloon factory at Farnborougli found causing damage to the bamboos used for man-lifting kites. A plague of flies at Postwick, near Norwich, notified by a Local G’overnment Board medical officer. That the department is of real use to students and. other persons may _ be gauged from the fact that 12,443 visits were received last year from inquirers interested in entomology.