Selwyn Times: April 04, 2018

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Wednesday April 4 2018 17
Backyard Critters
Maureen Flattery-Donohoe
responds to the Selwyn
Times’ article on how traffic
lights could be installed at
the Ellesmere Junction Rd
roundabout in Lincoln
Local
News
Now
Fire rages, homes at risk
DAMAGING: Tasmanian grass grub beetles are often attracted to lights. ​
Light-loving grass grub a pest
Mike
Bowie is an
ecologist
who
specialises in
entomology
(insects and other
invertebrates). Each
week he introduces a
new species found in
his backyard at Lincoln.
His column aims to raise
public awareness of
biodiversity, the variety
of living things around us
AT DUSK, on still, warm
nights between January and
mid-March, Tasmanian grass
grub beetles are often attracted
to lights.
Scientifically known as Aphodius
tasmaniae, it is a major
pest of southeast Australia and
in Canterbury and Hawkes Bay
where soils are drier, lighter and
alluvial.
First discovered in Canterbury
in 1920, the dark brown to blackcoloured,
oblong-shaped adults
are 10mm long.
Females lay pale yellow,
spherical 1-2mm diameter
eggs in clusters of 10-60 into
earthen cells.
Larvae emerge and grow to
20mm, having a shiny appearance
with blue-grey coloured
abdomens.
The larvae also have dark
brown head capsules and two
small plates behind the head
that distinguish it from larvae
of the New Zealand grass grub
Costelytra zealandica.
Larvae live in vertical tunnels
in soil and feed primarily on
animal and plant debris, but also
on grass, lucerne and clover.
Damage by both species
causes patches of dead grass and
bare soil.
I would like to say so many
drivers just are not good at giving
way at roundabouts. Some
drivers stop, then look to see if
they need to give way. This is not
how roundabouts work. Drivers
need to look as they approach
the roundabout and if the car
on the right hasn’t moved then
just go if the way is clear. It’s not
just this roundabout that drivers
have trouble with.
We said:
Low patronage has led to
the axing of a bus trial from
Darfield to Christchurch
You said:
Have a go at Scottish dancing
EVER THOUGHT of trying
Scottish country dancing?
The Lincoln Scottish Country
Dance Club is holding a have a go
night on Tuesday to give people a
chance to try it.
It would take place at the Lincoln
Events Centre at 7.30pm.
Fully certified Scottish country
dance teachers would be at the
Stephen Graham – Use it -
or lose it. Quite simple.
Dennis Rogers – It doesn’t
take rocket science to know that
if you put fares up, less people
will use the service. If they want
people to use buses then drop
fares. You get more people using
them and they get more money.
They have just got too greedy
and we are now paying for it by
less people using buses.
session to teach people basic
steps, formations and the dances.
It is also a good way of exercising
in a fun and friendly environment.
The session will be free. Those
participating are asked to wear soft
shoes, as the club has limited pairs.
Lincoln Event Centre is on
Meijer Drive.
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