Operation Army Worm

The army worm, a caterpillar approximately one inch long, this season attacked Poverty Bay farmers with its strongest force ever, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

Moving over the land in millions, and eating all in their path, thay have been known to causa a car to lose traction on a road which they have been crossing.

To combat these hungry invaders, farmers have enlisted the aid of an aerial spraying firm, Rural Aviation Ltd, of New Plymouth, who have covered more than 4000 acres of maize, sweet corn, barley, and oats, with DDT or Diptrix in recent weeks.

It is estimated that in doing so, thay have saved up to £100,000 worth of crops.