2 Sep 2024

No more little burnt chippies?

From Afternoons, 1:27 pm on 2 September 2024

To some finding that extra crispy, burnt-looking chip at the bottom of a bag can feel like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Unfortunately, the real explanation behind these "zebra chips" is less harmless. 

These chips are actually the victims of the tomato potato psyllid, a bug that feeds on crops, and three years ago wiped out nearly 6 percent of Canterbury's potato crop. 

To prevent this happening again researchers at Lincoln University have been conducting research to target the bugs.

The auction of Bianca McPherson's heart shaped holed potato has raised $20,000 for Starship Children's Hospital.

The chip's maker Bluebird came to the party and offered to match the amount of the winner's bid. Photo: Supplied