Laboratory studies on the suitability of some aphid species for food of the predaceous flowerbug Anthocoris gallarum ulmi (DeG.) (Het., Anthocoridae) In order to initiate release of beneficial insects such as the predatory (= predaceous living) flowerbug Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi, in biological control strategies, it is important that a successful mass rearing is maintained. Feeding tests involving bugs and various aphid species such as the green peach aphid, Mycus persicae, the pea aphid, Acyrtosiphon pisum and the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae, were conducted under laboratory conditions (20–25 °C). All three aphid species were readily accepted by all stages of the predator. Larval development of bugs reared on the food of M. persicae and Ac. pisum was approximately 15 days with freshly emerged adults weighing between 1.0 and 1.6 mg. Females were in all cases heavier than their opposite sex partners. Females of peach and pea aphid origin laid on average 57 eggs. Larvae fed only the food of Aphis fabae showed a prolonged developement time averaging 25 days. Furthermore larval mortality (77%) on this food was highest for all tested prey species, and the average weight of adult bugs was half that noted for experimental animals reared on the two other aphid species. Unlike Anthocoris nemorum, laboratory rearing of A. gallarum‐ulmi is easier; the latter exercises no obligatory reproductive diapause. This bug proves therefore to be a potential enemy in the biological control of aphids. Zusammenfassung Um im Rahmen der biologischen Bekämpfung evtl. auch die räuberische Blumenwanze Anthocoris gallarum‐ulmi einsetzen zu können, muß zuvor das Problem der Massenzucht dieses Predators gelöst werden. Zu diesem Zweck wurden Versuche zur Aufzucht der Wanze durchgeführt, wobei als Nahrung die Blattläuse Mycus persicae, Acyrtosiphon pisum und Aphis fabae dienten. Unter Laborbe‐dingungen (20–25 °C) wurden alle 3 Blattlausarten von allen Freßstadien der Wanze als Nahrung akzeptiert. Die Larvenentwicklung der Wanze bei Darbietung von M. persicae und Ac. pisum als Nahrung dauerte ca. 15 Tage. Die daraus hervorgehenden Adulten wogen, frisch geschlüpft, zwischen 1,0 und 1,6 mg, wobei Weibchen stets schwerer waren als Männchen. Weibliche Wanzen, die mit Ac. pisum bzw. M. persicae ernährt wurden, legten i. M. 55 bzw. 72 Eier ab. Dagegen zeigten Wanzenlarven, die mit Aphis fabae gefüttert wurden, mit i. M. 25 Tagen eine verlängerte Entwick‐lungszeit. Die Mortalitätsquote der Wanzenlarven war mit 77% bei dieser Nahrung die höchste der 3 Ernährungsarten, und das mittlere Gewicht der Adulten betrug nur etwa halb so viel wie bei Verwendung der beiden anderen Blattlausarten als Nahrung. Im Vergleich zu Anthocoris nemorum ist die Laborzucht von A. gallarum‐ulmi leichter, weil letztere keine obligatorische Reproduktions‐Diapause durchmacht. Diese Wanzenart eignet sich daher prinzipiell als ein Mittel zur biologischen Bekämpfung von Blattläusen.

Pollen, from pellets gathered by bees, was used to pollinate kiwifruit flowers artificially. Pollen was applied at a number of rates after suspending in an aqueous medium or mixing with one of three different diluents to get a powder formulation. Resulting fruit size was less at lower ratesof pollenapplication. Atsuchlowrates(generally < 1.0 mglflower), a linear relationship was detected betweenpollen applicationrate and finalfruitsize, in some seasons. Some powder formulations (e.g., that usingLycopodiumspores)seemedlesseffectivethan the aqueous suspension. However, the best formulation for pollination of kiwifruit was made withan inertpowder.This formulation effectively set fruit at rates of pollen as low as 0.037 mglflower, althoughat this rate fruit size was reducedas a result of inadequateseed set.

The temperatures on plant trunks inside insulation materials used as trunk wraps for kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) were recorded during winter field conditions. Insulation wraps had an influence on the daily maximum temperatures of wrapped trunks, the lag period and the night minimum temperatures. Insulation wraps which, when compared to uninsulated trunks, reduced the daily maximum temperature, provided long lag intervals and increased night minimum temperatures were expected to be the best insulators. Polyurethane foam wraps, hay in a black polythene sleeve, and sawdust banks provided the best insulation. However natural wraps have disadvantages which reduce their suitability as trunk insulators for kiwifruit.

The paper discusses herbicide, fertiliser, and harvest system trials on poroporo, done by or in co-operation with Riwaka Research Station, DSIR. The trials took place at Motueka andWaitara from 1978-81. Alachor, diphenamid, or diphenamid with monolinuron/linuron were effective as either pre-or post-transvlant herbicides. Application of N enhanced &y matter and solasodine yields at Motueka, whereas P was more important at Waitara. High harvest heights (700 mm) yielded better than low heights (400 mm).Harvest of sides and tops increased long tern yield. Poroporo appears particularly sensitive to its environment, and trial results are difficult to apply directly to commercial production.