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CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURISTS ARE WORKED UP OVER THE ADVENT OF THE ARGENTINE ANT—ONE OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE FOHS TO PLANT LIFE—ITS BITE MOREOVER SAID TO BE FATAL TO CHILDREN, I will behoove the agricultural au thorities of Hawaii to keep a strict guard against the Introduction here of the Argentine ant. At recent Intervals the Star has published iome from the San Frans cisco newspapers about the arrival of the pest In California. The follow ing article fo from the August num bers of Orchard and Farm: Another crop pest threatens to in vade the agricultural districts of the Pacific Coast States In the form of the Argentine ant which has made is appearance in certain sections of Cali fornia, carrying destruction and de vastation In its path. At a session of the Entomological Conference held recently at the Uni versity of California, Professor C. H. Woodward, head of the department, gave the details of this parasite, out lining at length the perila attending the presence of the post. The unwelcome Insect’s character and coming were brought to the at tention of the Entomological Depart ment of the university in a series of complaints from residents in East Oak land and Alameda, and a call for scientific aid was made to exterminate the ant and take precautions against its reappearance. While being one of the most destructive foes known to the agriculturist, the peat has a more sin ister name in being, 1 Is said, fatal to children affected by ite bite. ‘The sensions of the conference were attended by representative agriculturs ists from all parts of the State, and various papers were read bearing upon the subject. Professor Woodward stated that he had ieformed State Horticultural Com missioner Jeffrey of the appearance of the post and had also considered the matter of muident importance to war rant his communicating with Governor Gillett. The members of the confer ence visited some of the affected sem tions in East Oakland and Inspected specimens of the ant's destruction. Profesor Woodward's letter to Gov ernor Gillett said in part: ‘The Argentine ant has gained a foothold in East Oakland, and now occupies about one square mile of territory. The insect In known elite~ where In the United States only in the region about New Orleans, and the secretary of the Lowhslana State Crop Pest Commisssion, in the last report to the Governor of that State, writes that this Insect has proven itself to be one of the most injurious (that has been In troduced into the United States from foreten countries, “A more serious aspect of the prob em is found In the destruction of orange and fig crops in the southern parishes by the ant and danger to su gar cane by its continued increase. * “It seems to me that the Introduc tion of the insect is a far greater me nace than the Introduction of the white fly, discovered a year ago at Marynville, I have already reported the matter to State Horticultural Com missioner Jeffrey, but I considered It important enough to report direct to you.
Newspaper Details
The Hawaiian Star
Honolulu, Hawaii, US
Mon, Aug 17, 1908
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
John W.
GB 03 Feb 2026
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