Guava moth
Dear Neighbours
Regrettably, the dreaded guava moth has become a permanent curse. If you have fruit trees on your property, you'll find the fruit (especially stone fruit like plums, peaches, etc) uneatable. The guava moth will even have a go at citrus.
You'll see a tiny pinhole bored into your fruit where the guava moth has laid its egg. The egg hatches into a grub, about one centimetre long, which destroys the interior of the fruit.
There is no adequate spray to combat this pest (introduced from Australia in recent years and gradually working its way down the North Island, having reached Hamilton so far). Nurseries recommend neem oil but unless you achieve total coverage of the fruit, it does not protect it.
The guava moth spells the end of the backyard orchard. Commercially, when it reaches the Bay of Plenty, it will be devastating to our economy. It has already caused orchardists in the north to remove their feijoas and some people are cutting down their plum trees.
There is one thing we can do to limit this evil pest. Please, please pick up windfall fruit and seal it in a plastic bag before throwing it in the rubbish. A bread bag will do the job nicely. Do not compost this fallen fruit as the grubs will still emerge, pupate and develop into new moths to continue their devastating work.
If you put the fruit into a bucket of water overnight, you will see the grubs when they emerge and they can be tipped down the sink. By destroying what we can of these pests, we can limit the effect of the next generation.
You will find that the fruit which drops off the tree early, with a smudge of ripeness on one side, is fruit already attacked by the guava moth which is in a hurry to emerge and find a convenient place to form its cocoon (from whence it will emerge as a new moth).
The only effective way I know of to limit this pest is the sealed plastic bag method. In this way, we reduce second generation numbers. Please give it a go.
Many thanks, David H.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.3% Yes
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8.2% No
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0.5% Other - I'll share below!
Dig the rhythms, East FM, Saturday from midday...
Taylor Griffin is an original Groove Guy and known in the east (as well as other places) and with it being an exciting time for him, with the release of his debut EP, In Green, he’s the featured artist on tomorrow’s She’ll Be Right on Saturdays Show with PJ Taylor, midday to 4pm (NZ time, April 27) on East FM.
In Green eloquently and dynamically represents jazz in the now, and future, beautifully and thoughtfully expressed by musicians of the highest order. They’re mates, too.
Taylor Griffin, as his press department writes, ‘is a new and emerging artist, drummer and producer from Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland’.
In Green reached No. 9 in the NZ Album Charts, and got to No. 5 in the Top 10 Albums in Independent Music NZ. It’s co-produced and mixed by master musician Nathan Haines.
‘In Green EP represents a large body of work that began its life during Taylor’s time at Auckland University, where he studied jazz under internationally renowned musicians including Ron Samsom, Chris O’Connor, Roger Manins, Oli Holland, and Kevin Field.’
The EP was written and produced after the third lockdown. ‘And represents a shift in the way forward, in light of modern and global changes. In Green EP explores modern jazz through the lexicon of heavy grooves and Latin flavours with tasteful and lush sounds masterfully mixed in.’
Taylor recently returned from London where he’s begun recording new music for a later release (full-length album), ‘with the legendary Kiwi expat Dave Holmes at Lightship 95. In doing so he’s collaborated with London based artists such as Arjuna Oakes, Rudi Creswick (bass player for Tom Misch), Pluum, Dylan Jones and Ben Vize.’
In Green EP credits:
Written and produced by Taylor Griffin. Co-produced and mixed by Nathan Haines at Zoot Music. Taylor Griffin, drums, percussion, vocals. Nathan Haines, flute, soprano saxophone. Rachel Clarke, vocals. Saia Folau, vocals. Leo McMenamin, keyboards. Michal Martyniuk, Rhodes, synths. Guy Harrison, trumpet, synths. Charlie Isdale, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute. Geoff Ong, guitar, bass. Robert Picot, guitar. Joseph Corban-Banks, session engineer at The Groove Suite studio. Neil Baldock, drum mixing engineer at Zoot Music. Distributed through Bigpop Records. Mastered by Clinton McCreery at Bambu Music, London.
taylorsgrooves.bandcamp.com...
East FM is East Auckland’s fair-dinkum community-powered public service radio station, on 88.1FM and 107.1FM on local frequencies, nationally and globally at www.eastfm.nz... and on app iHeart Radio.
She’ll Be Right - it’s all about the vibe; it’s all about the groove. Providing a platform for NZ music and performing artists to exhibit their talents since ages ago. Ka pai. – PJ
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
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