s
353.9
E3R
1922 NO. 19 University of Montana
Agricultural Experiment Station
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
BULLETIN NO. 150 DECEMBEE. 1922
Grasshoppers, Cutworms, and Other
Insect Pests of 1921-1922
Being the Nineteenth Report of the State Entomologist
of Montana
Adult op the Sunflower Maggot
Straussia longipennis Wied.
BY
R. A. COOLEY
STATE PUBLICATIONS COLLECTION
OCT 3 1 2007
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620
Montana State Library
3 0864 1004 0597 9
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Bozeman, Montana, December 1, 1922.
To His Excellency,
Governor Joseph M. Dixon,
Helena, Montana.
My dear Sir:
I have the honor to hand you herewith my report as State Entom-
ologist. For purposes of economy in printing no report was issued
for last year (1921) and the present report covers the activities of
this office for the years 1921 and 1922. It is our intention in the fu-
ture to submit one report in each biennium.
The county insect pest law, enacted by the last legislative assem-
bly, has proved of much value to us in conducting campaigns for the
control of grasshoppers. It will serve equally well in meeting other
emergency conditions as they arise. The State Entomologist's office,
working jointly with county agents and aided by the county insect
pest law, makes an effective system which already has resulted in much
saving to the State.
Very respectfully,
R. A. Cooley,
State Entomologist.
Nineteenth Report of the
State Entomologist
GRASSHOPPERS
The spring of 1921 found practically all the agricultural counties
of the State with a very serious grasshopper problem. In western
Montana the egg beds of the warrior grasshopper (Gamnula pellucida
Scudder) extended over miles of territory through Sanders, Flathead,
and Missoula counties, and upon hatching the young hoppers threatened
the crops to the extent of complete destruction. The condition in the
Centennial Valley in Beaverhead County was very much improved, due
to an effective campaign in 1920, although some work there was again
necessary.
Through those counties lying just east of the Continental Divide,
particularly Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Teton, and Pondera,
the warrior hopper was again the chief species concerned, but in many
sections through these counties the lesser-migratory grasshopper (Mel-
anoplus atlanis Riley) was also present in very destructive numbers.
In central and eastern Montana, although the two-striped grass-
hopper (Melanoplus bivittatus Say) and the warrior grasshopper were
present in considerable numbers, the great problem was with the lesser-
migratory species. This species, which has manifested many of the
characteristics of the old Rocky Mountain migratory locust {Melano-
plus spreius Uhler) that caused such devastation of crops in the early
days, was responsible for damage in practically every county in this
part of the State and in most of the counties was present in such num-
bers that organized control campaigns against it were imperative. Al-
though well worth while in point of crops saved, many of these cam-
paigns were by no means extensive enough to prevent very serious losses.
In many localities where a comparatively small number of farms lie
surrounded by large areas of idle land, on which the lesser-migratory
grasshopper is especially wont to breed, control measures were imprac-
ticable. In southeastern Montana, from Big Horn County east to
Carter, damage to the range by swarms of grasshoppers constituted a
great loss to the stockmen of that region. The native grasses were
destroyed to such an extent that the feed on the range was so sparse
4 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
by late summer that conditions were similar to those that would have
resulted from an extreme drought.
During 1921 twenty-six counties, as shown in Table I and figure
3, operated the county insect pest law and spent considerably over
TABLE I.
GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN, 1921— COUNTIES IN WHICH THE
INSECT PEST LAW WAS OPERATED.
_, Law Gen. tunl _ . „ Tons bait Acreagi Estimated
County . , Total . . . .
funds etc used treated saving
Beaverhead $2,424.06 $2,424.06 110 5,000
Broadwater _ 685.54 685.54 18 1,800
Cascade 2,704.00 2,794.00 58 13,900 $28,000
Daniels 8,547.19 8,547.19 200 20,000
Dawson 2,500.00 $1,102.00 3,002.00 140.7 15,000 45,000
Fallon 1,933.40 1,933.40 62 7,000 50,000
Fergus 2,739.00 2,739.00 11 5,600 27,000
Flathead 6,000.00 6,000.00 269 19.333
Gallatin 1,357.94 1,357.94 60 7,556 10.000
Golden Valley 2,238.24 2,238.24 100 5,000
Jefferson 2,000.00 2,000.00 50 4,000 30,000
Judith Basin*
Lincoln*
McCone 3,735.60 1,206.12 4,941.72 80 8.000
Madison 1,750.00 1,750.00 63.5 12,700 30,000
Missoula 3.300.00 4,210.00 7,510.00 180 60.000
Musselshell 8.100.97 S,160.97 332 16,000
Pondera* _
Prairie 2,351.31 2,351.31 182 3,150
Roosevelt 3,000.00 12,000.00 15,000.00 590 36,433 183,622
Sanders 3,000.00 500.00 3,500.00 92 4,000 30,000
Stillwater 3,500.00 3,500.00 1C0 10,000 10,000
Teton 200.00 200.00 6 COO 10.000
Valley 2,192.33 2,192.33 40 2.090 12,700
Wheatland 750.00 750.00 38 7,200 3,400
Yellowstone 6,094.84 6,094.84 332 15,960
Total $71,254.42 $19,018.12 $90,272.54 3,204.2 280,922 $475.".2_'
♦County operated insect pest law but submitted no report.
TABLE II.— GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN, 1921— COUNTIES IN WHICH THE
INSECT PEST LAW WAS NOT OPERATED.
-, Approx. money
County
spent
Blaine $245.79
Chouteau 546.25
Custer 700.00
Hill .: _ 122.89
Lewis and Clark 409.65
Richland _ 819.:;;
Rosebud _ 819.00
Treasure 800.00
Total $4,462.95
Tons bait
used
Acreage
treated
Estimated
saving
6
000
20
1,875
40
3,000
3
500
20
1,000
20
3,330
30
2,500
30
2,500
169
15,305
$1,800
10,000
2,500
3.500
9,990
27,790
NINETEENTH EEPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
C5
•
<3
co
•+0
03
CO
C£>
a,
a,
co
CO
=0
CO
CO
-to
53
O
•cS>
e
i»
v.
"3
t— 1
MONTANA BULL KT IN l.'o
a
SO
-
Si,
©
— .
o
• ~-
g
NINETEENTH REPOET OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 7
$95,000 on grasshopper control. In western Montana these campaigns
proved especially effective, so effective in fact that, assisted by the good
work of the predaceous and parasitic enemies of the grasshoppers, little
control work was necessary in 1922. In eastern Montana the saving to
crops was enormous but so far as cutting down the hoppers to some-
thing like normal numbers was concerned, few areas where this was
done can be cited. The principal reason for this difference in effec-
tiveness in the eastern and western Montana campaigns lies in the
habits of the different hoppers against which they were directed. As
stated before, the species working in the western part of the State,
TABLE III.— GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN, 1922— COUNTIES IN WHICH THE
INSECT PEST LAW WAS OPERATED.
„, I unds Tons bait Acreage Estimated
County ° , _
used used treated saving
Big Horn $5,400.00 142.5 23,750
Carter 1.000.00 40 4.000
Carbon 2,676.03 100 10,000
Cascade 4,448.27 235.5 50,000 $250,000
Daniels 3,700.00 150.5 12,000 120,000
Dawson 45.5 0J00 112,500
Fallon _ 2,647.02 40 8.000 40.000
Fergus 39,000.00 625.0 150,000 450,000
Flathead 2,200.00 40 5,336
Gallatin 2,832.00 198 44,860 370,900
Garfield 120 10,000
Glacier 589.50 20 3,000
Golden Valley 10,011.51 380 18,500
Judith Basin _ 4,638.65 220 20,000
Liberty 3,02S.77 80 8,000
Lincoln 299.35 38 3,500
Madison 725.00 16 4,500 10,500
McCone*
Missoula 6,318.87 200 20,000
Musselshell 3,362.09 131 12,000
Park , 76.50 3 150
Phillips 3,950.00 65.5 9,200 18,400
Pondera „ 16,141.00 646 32,000
Prairie 2,141.00 92.3 16,000
Richland 1,000.00 66. 10,000 20.000
Roosevelt 3,060.00 60 6,000 60.000
Sanders 750.00 15 1,500 7,000
Stillwater 3,000.00 150 20,000 30,000
Sweet Grass „.. 2,200.00 94 4,000
Teton _. 4,000.00 160 25,000 80,850
Toole 5,500.00 136 10,000
Valley 4,000.00 80 13,000 12.000
Wheatland 15,000.00 225 45,000
Yellowstone 225 25,000
Total $153,696.76 4,880.8 633,396 $1,582,150
*County operated insect pest law but submitted no report.
MONTANA BULLETIN 150
co
«
§
c_
•~
<»
a,
CO
i«
O
a,
^&
co
r - 7 1
2 -
3S
53
-to
co
• —
©
co
6
NINETEENTH EEPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
TABLE IV.— GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN, 1922— COUNTIES IN WHICH THE
INSECT PEST LAW WAS NOT OPERATED
p . Approximate Tona bait Acreage Estimated
funds used used treated saving
Blaine $5,600.00 80.5 13.375 $135,000
Broadwater 20 2,000
Chouteau 19,000.00 400 64,400 400,000
Custer 3,200.00 55 9,160
Hill 2,370.13 25 4,000 160,000
Jefferson 12.2 1,220
Lewis and Clark 1.100.00 SO 10,000 200,000
Ravalli 32.90 .7
Rosebud 25 2.000
Total $31,303.00 698.4 106,155 $S95.000
TABLE V.— SUMMARY OF GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGNS. 1921 AND 1922
For Counties Which Operated Insect Pest Law 1921 1922
Number of counties 26 34
Funds expended (practically all for materials) $90,272.54 $153,696.76
Tons of poisoned bran mash distributed 3,204.2 4,880.8
Acres of land treated 2S0.922 633,396
Estimated saving to crops* $475,322.00 $1,582,150.00
For Counties Which Did NOT Operate Insect Fest Law
Number of counties S 9
Funds expended (mostly for materials) $4,402.95 $31,303.03
Tons of poisoned bran masb distributed 169 <;:is.4
Acres of land treated 15,305 106,155
Estimated saving to crops* $27,790.00 $895,000.00
For All Counties
Number of counties 34 43
Funds expended $94,735.59 $184,999.79
Tons of poisoned bran mash distributed 3,373.2 5,579.2
Acres of land treated _ 296,227 7','.t.551
Estimated saving to crops* $503,112.00 $2,477,150.00
*See paragraph on "estimated crop saving."
and to some extent along the eastern slope, is primarily the warrior
grasshopper. This species always shows a greater tendency to congre-
gate for egg-laying than does any other common species in the State.
Accordingly, it is easier to forsee outbreaks of the warrior grasshopper,
because the egg-beds can be actually measured in a definite way and
the extent of the infestations known pretty well beforehand. Further-
more, and for the same reason, when the hoppers begin to hatch they
are at first very much bunched so that a small amount of poison used
at the most propitious time will destroy the young in enormous num-
bers. On the other hand, the lesser-migratory grasshopper in the
central and eastern sections does not deposit its eggs in well defined
10 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
areas. The eggs are spread over more country and consequently more
expense and effort are attached to destroping the hoppers before they
have spread into the crops and have started to cause damage. It is
also very difficult to determine the liklihood of an outbreak of the
lesser-migratory grasshopper with any degree of certainty as can be
done with the warrior grasshopper. Then in addition, the species oc-
curring in eastern Montana possesses a stronger migratory habit than
the warrior grasshopper. Not only is the control of the migrating
swarms on late crops very difficult but the migrations assist in the
rapid spread of the hoppers over immense areas. Undoubtedly many
of the infestations in the northern counties during the last two years
originated from swarms which flew in from the southeast.
Accordingly, in 1922 the condition in western Montana was very
much alleviated but east of the mountains the infested areas of the
previous year had increased. North central Montana, especially the
region drained by the Marias and Teton rivers, having been very dry
in 1921, held a widespread infestation. The counties most concerned
in this area were Pondera, Glacier, Toole, Liberty, Chouteau, and
Teton. Farther east along the Great Northern Railway the infesta-
tions were worse than in 1921 except in northeastern Montana — Roose-
velt, Daniels, and Sheridan counties — where fewer hoppers were pres-
ent, although still numerous enough to make extensive campaigns nec-
essary in two of these counties.
Increased infestations occurred in Cascade, Judith Basin, Fergus,
Wheatland, Golden Valley, and Musselshell counties to the extent that
many times as much money was spent in 1922 as in the previous year.
The rather sudden increase of the two-striped grasshopper (Mel-
anoplus hirit ful us Say) through the valley of the Yellowstone, coupled
will) Hie already serious infestations of the lesser-migratory grasshop-
per, made necessary organized campaigns in every county along the
Yellowstone River from Sweel Grass County east to North Dakota.
Other counties not mentioned carried ou1 extensive operations
;rj.iinsi the hoppers during the season, financed either privately or
under the insect pest Law. At the time ihis reporl is written informa-
tion is Lacking from many of the counties, but from the data at hand
it appears thai more than 700,000 acres of infested land in Montana
were treated, with an estimated crop saving of well over •t2..")()0,000.
This was dune at a cosl of approximately $185,000 spent for materials.
NINETEENTH EEPOET OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 11
ESTIMATED CROP SAVING IN GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN
It will be noted in the tabulations regarding the grasshoppei
campaigns of 1921 and 1922 that a monetary value was placed on crops
saved in only eighteen counties for each year. This does not mean
that the other counties, for which estimates of saving were not made,
found the use of the poisoned bran mash of no benefit. On the con-
trary, in many of these counties the proportion of crop saved through
fighting the grasshoppers was so great that to make anywhere near
accurate estimates seemed impossible. In Flathead County, particu-
larly in 1921, the opinion among the farmers and others qualified to
judge was unanimous that had not the grasshoppers been destroyed
very little crop would have been harvested. Although this was es-
pecially true in the western counties for which estimates were not
given, it held true also for practically all the central and eastern Mon-
tana counties where, without any doubt, the proportion of crop saved
was somewhat less. Then, too, no attempt was made to secure esti-
mates on crops saved in any but counties employing county agents.
Taking these things into consideration, the total money saved during
these years through organized grasshopper campaigns was very much
greater than actually shown by the tables given.
THE PALE WESTERN CUTWORM
Losses to wheat and other crops due to the pale western cutworm
(Porosagrotis orthogonia Morr.) were not as severe in 1921 as in
1920, and during the past season (1922) the insect was of little con-
sequence. Even though increased injury was suffered in some sec-
tions in 1921, it can be said for the entire area known to be infested
that that year marked the first noticeable decrease in losses since this
insect came into prominence as one of the most important pests of
grain crops in Montana.
The following table shows a comparison, in so far as data were
available, in percentages of total seeded areas destroyed from 1920
to 1922.
County 1920 1921 1922
Broadwater 23.9% 8.0% 0%
Cascade '. 35.0 30.0
Chouteau 30.7 10.0
Dawson 10.0
Fallon 12.0
12 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
County 1920 1921 1922
Glacier (eastern section) 35.0
Hill 25.0 33.0 7
Jefferson 36.0 12.0
Liberty 47.1 50.0 3
Phillips 16.9 0.0
Prairie 6.5
Teton 29.0 7.0
Toole 50.0 33.0
Yellowstone 2.0-5.0
It will be seen tbat in 1921 marked reductions took place in
Broadwater, Chouteau. Jefferson, Teton, and Toole counties and that
in one county, Phillips, which had a loss of 16.9 per cent in 1920,
there was no cutworm damage at all in 1921. This was also true of
Valley and Roosevelt counties which suffered considerable loss in 1920
but none since that time. The counties in which the cutworms held
their own in 1921 were Cascade and Glacier, although in Glacier
County a definite estimate for 1920 was not secured. Increased losses
were sustained in Hill and Liberty counties and several counties in
the eastern part of the State, namely, Dawson. Fallon. Prairie, and
Yellowstone, where large areas of corn and small grains were destroyed.
In 1922 only a very small part of the area formerly infested suffered
any damage and oven in the two counties so affected, Hill and Liberty,
the losses were very small when compared with those sustained the
two preceding years.
The great decrease in the destructiveness of the pale western cut-
worm in 1922 is thought to have been due more than anything else
to the heavy snowstorm which swept over most of the infested terri-
tory in northern Montana during the first part of September, 1921.
The parent moths were thereby destroyed or at least prevented from
deposit ing their o<_'gs. Other reasons which may in part account for
the decreases in both 1921 and 1922 are better moisture conditions
during May and June than for several seasons past, greater preva
lence of the natural enemies of the cutworms, and early irrigation of
fields known to be infested. Tims the substantial reduction in Teton
County in 1921 is believed to have 1 o due to irrigation. Several
fields on the Greenfield Bench which came under our observation
showed heavy manifestations jusl prior to the time water was turned
on them. Later reports Bhowed these fields to have produced good
NINETEENTH REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 13
crops. In a few instances, notably in Jefferson County, fields on which
winter wheat was destroyed by this insect in the spring of 1921 were
reseeded to spring wheat with success, due mostly, it is believed, to
the good growing conditions which prevailed. On the other hand,
during the same year in Cascade County, one man is known to have
seeded 240 acres three times without getting a crop, which is a typi-
cal example of the extreme destructiveness of this species of cut-
worm under conditions most favorable to it. That dry weather is
the greatest contributing factor in outbreaks of this cutworm has
been conspicuously demonstrated. In 1921 in the drought areas losses
were maintained and in some instances increased over what they were
in 1920 but where better moisture conditions existed losses decreased.
The season of 1922 saw a higher percentage of parasitism in the
pale western cutworm than had been known in the State before. At
the height of its destructiveness the lack of any parasitic enemies was
very conspicuous but last summer as high as 42 per cent of the worms
was destroyed by insect parasites. The mortality rate was increased
to such an extent by disease and predaceous enemies that there is little
possibility of this pest's causing material damage during the coming
year.
The investigational work has not developed any direct method of
destroying the worms. The main feature bearing on control brought
out by Dr. W. C. Cook is that in some years early spring plowing
(before May 1st) will prove an effective means of preventing damage.
Briefly stated our control recommendations are based upon the fol-
lowing :
1. As a general practice, summer fallowed ground, plowed early
and treated as recommended by the Montana Experiment Station, will
be least affected by the pale western cutworm.
2. Good summer fallow which is not worked in any way between
July 15th and September 15th will have a better chance than that which
is worked during that time, due to the preference of the moths for
freshly worked or "mulchy" ground in which to deposit their eggs.
3. In some years early spring plowing will prove as effective as
summer fallow. This method must have restrictions placed upon it
because it is believed that when the eggs fail to hatch in the fall, or,
if hatched, the young worms fail to make growth in the fall, spring
plowing before May 1st will destroy them. But when the eggs hatch
early and the worms are of fair size when they go into hibernation,
14
MONTANA BULL KT IX 150
NINETEENTH REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
15
<£>
25
16 MONTANA ISI'LLKTIN 150
they will be able to hold over in the ground from the time the spring
plowing is done to the time when the young wheat is coming up to
furnish something for them to feed upon. In other words, it is be-
lieved that the young worms can be starved out in the spring but that
the older worms can not be.
4. No cultivation practices are of value where winter wheat is
grown excepl when the wheat is seeded after September 15th.
5. Early irrigation will prove an effective means of preventing
damage. Fields known to be infested which can be irrigated should
have the water applied, to them without delay.
THE FRUIT-TREE LEAE -ROLLER
The outbreak of the fruit-tree leaf-roller (Archips argyrospila
Walker) in the Bitter Koot Valley continued unabated during the past
spring and summer. Several hundred acres of orchard were again
totally stripped of foliage with the loss of thousands of boxes of ap-
ples, while injury of lesser importance extended to over a thousand
acres. The pest is now established in four localities in sufficient num-
bers to cause noteworthy loss to the fruit crop, namely, at Stevens-
ville, Victor, Corvallis, and Darby. Control measures carried out by
a number of growers the past spring, while greatly reducing the injury,
lacked the proper strength and thoroughness and were not sufficiently
extensive to materially reduce the infestation.
During the past spring and summer (1922) tests were conducted
in some of the worst infested orchards to determine the most effective
and economical method of controlling this pest. Of five commercial
brands of miscible oil sold on the market for leaf-roller control, only
two proved sufficiently effective in these tests to warrant their use for
this purpose. The strength required to secure an effective kill was
also determined to be above thai ordinarily recommended. The influ-
ence of high pressure, weather conditions, time of application, etc.,
on the results of spraying were satisfactorily worked out, as well as
the life cycle for the insect in the Bitter Root Valley.
1 1 was discovered that in the case of severe infestation, serious
reduction in the fruit sel and injury to the mature crop could be pre-
vented only by the use of an effective miscible oil to destroy the eggs
before they hatch. It was determined by these tests that in the case
of mild infestation the pesl could be effectively controlled by thorough
applications of arsenate of lead, preferably with a spreader added.
NINETEENTH EEPOET OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 17
The addition of sweet substances, such as syrup and' molasses, was
not found to increase the effectiveness of the arsenical sufficiently to
warrant the added expense.
A very reassuring feature concerning the outbreak was the dis-
covery of as high as 30 per cent reduction of the infestation through
the beneficial work of the parasites, which are in no way injured by
the artificial control measures. While this degree of parasitism is
insufficient at present to materially reduce the numbers in the most
heavily infested districts, it augers well for a natural control within
a few years, inasmuch as the parasitism over this same area a year
previous amounted to less than 10 per cent. The fruit growers are
generally encouraged with the present outlook and are planning more
extensive and thorough control measures for the coming year.
BLISTEK MITE
This tiny form which attacks both foliage and fruit of the apple
probably caused more injury and financial loss to the fruit growers
of the Bitter Root Valley in 1921 than any other orchard pest. In
fact, it is questionable whether in the aggregate the loss in culls and
"C" grade fruit due to injury by the blister mite was not as great
-as that caused by all the other orchard pests combined. While this
injury was more or less noticeable over the valley as a whole, especially
to Wealthy, Rome Beauty, Mcintosh, and Winter Banana, it was par
ticularly severe in some of the orchards about Darby, in which the
dormant or late dormant spraying with lime-sulphur had been omitted
for some years.
The blister mite is not a difficult pest to control. Either lime-
sulphur or miscible oil, carefully and timely applied, should give
satisfactory results. On the whole, lime-sulphur is to be preferred,
l>eing less expensive and thoroughly dependable for this purpose.
On account of the more general use of control measures against this
pest in 1922, much less damage resulted than in the previous year.
THE GRANARY WEEVIL
Reports which came to us in September, 1921, regarding the serious
losses due to the granary weevil (Calendra granaria L.) in south-
western Minnesota and South Dakota, where in some instances losses
ranging up to one hundred and twenty-five dollars on a carload of
wheat were experienced, caused us to make an investigation concerning
this insect in Montana. Letters were sent to eight hundred grain
1 . MONTANA BULLETIN 150
dealers and elevators in the State, asking if any dockage had occurred
mi Montana grain due to being reported "sample grade because of live
weevil" or if they knew of the occurrence of the weevil in this State.
With bul two exceptions the answers received were unanimous to
llic effed thai n<> grain weevils existed here. Many grain dealers in
business here for from fifteen to twenty years reported that to their
knowledge no such infestations had ever occurred. However, two
small infestations of this granary weevil accompanied by a less im-
portanl species (Laemophloeus pusillus Schon.) were brought to our
attention, one in northern Montana and the other in the southern part
of the State. No dockage on Montana grain has been suffered and it
would seem that the danger from weevil injury is small. The rigorous
winters, coupled with preventive measures where small infestations do
develop in some of the heated warehouses, etc., will no doubt take
care of the situation.
GROWTH OF THE WORK OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
Until 1914 when county agricultural agents were first placed in
several of the counties, although the state entomologist law had been
in force for ten years there was no organization through which the
office charged with the control of injurious insects could get its work
done in an effective manner over the State generally. Until that time
the state Entomologist had to depend very largely upon his own
individual effort. As the appropriation for insect pest control was
then very small the number of farmers and others reached, who really
needed various kinds of information, was few. With the advent of the
county agents, however, the machinery was set up at least in a portion
of the counties through which the information at hand on the control
of .Montana pests could be disseminated with much heller results. Over
five thousand farmers cooperated with the county agents on grasshop-
per control alone during the summer of li'L'l and many more than
thai number during the pasl season.
To bring aboul a reasonable degree of uniformity in the recom-
mendations for the control of insect pests, loose leaf record books con-
taining the best informal ion on the life histories and control of our
common insect pests have been furnished the county agents. This book
contains the experience of the entomologists of the Department of
Entomology accumulated during a considerable number of years and
the information is in harmony with the hest practices followed in
Other parts of the eounl ry.
NINETEENTH REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 19
Other activities carried on in a large measure with or through
the county agricultural agents are, briefly :
1. Issuance of emergency circulars and notices dealing with vari-
ous insects which suddenly become injurious.
2. Demonstrations in the actual use of control measures.
3. Identification of insects to insure the use of the correct meth-
ods of control.
4. Making information available relative to sources and prices
of supplies needed in combating various pests.
5. Familiarizing the agents with new developments concerning
insects for which control measures are as yet inadequate.
6. General information needed in answering the many questions
propounded to the agents and a general educational program aimed
to promulgate a clearer understanding of insect life and behavior,
not to mention the exposing of false ideas, superstitions, and worthless
methods of insect control that are suggested.
In return, through our relations with the county agents we are
kept aware of general insect conditions, the results of recommended
control methods actually tried in the field, much information extremely
valuable regarding the life histories and occurrence of various insects,
injurious and beneficial, and reports of crop losses caused by injurious
insect pests.
At the present time there are agents located in twenty-six counties.
Although their work is officially confined to the counties by which they
are employed, they nevertheless serve indirectly many surrounding
counties that do not have the services of agents. Where a county agent
organizes his farmers to combat some injurious pest and the results
are very gratifying, neighboring counties at once begin to make use
of similar methods. Agents who have had experience in the State
have learned how our common pests are handled, thus making it pos-
sible for the State Entomologist to devote more time to counties where
agents are not employed.
With the widening of the field of entomological work have come
more pressing demands upon the State Entomologist's office, a corre-
spondingly greater service to the State, and a greater interest in the
study of one of the chief losses to crops in this region.
THE COUNTY INSECT PEST LAW
In order to deal successfully with a widespread outbreak of an
injurious insect, concerted community action is necessary. This can
20 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
be secured only with proper organization, effective leadership, and
adequate financial backing. Lacking any one of these things, a large
outbreak can not be handled. To make it possible for counties to
finance campaigns against various insect pests, the 1921 session of
the legislature passed what is known as the insect pest law.
Under this law the county commissioners are empowered (1) to
appoint a suitable person to supervise, under the direction of the
State Entomologist, the control of any dangerous insect pest, and (2)
to levy a general tax to be used in taking up county warrants issued
in payment for necessary supplies. Although this law has been used
in western Montana to partially support some fruit pest work, its
greatest use has been in connction with outbreaks of grasshoppers.
In 1921, twenty-six counties, and during the past season thirty-four
counties, operated the law to control these pests. It has proved to be
a very et'feciive aid in fighting grasshoppers and has made possible
many campaigns which resulted in immense saving of crops and which
it would otherwise have been impossible to undertake. Several changes
in the law. however, are advisable. Among these the two following
are the most important.
Under the present law it is required that the county commissioners
issue registered warrants on the "Insect Pest Fund" in payment for
supplies. Then "the Board of County Commissioners shall determine
the total amount of such warrants outstanding, and the succeeding
year, shall levy a tax sufficient to retire and pay off all such outstand-
ing warrants with accrued interest, which said tax shall be levied upon
all the property in the county and shall not exceed one-half mill on
each dollar of assessed valuation, and such tax when collected shall be
credited to the 'Insect Pest Fund' and said warrants shall at once be
called iii and paid off and discharged." This makes it necessary for
many counties which have sufficient money in the general fund to pay
interest on registered warrants when this could very easily be avoided
by transferring temporarily part of the general fund to the insect
pesl fund until the insect pesl tax is collected.
Another change in the Law has to do with an increase in the levy
which the county commissioners are empowered to make, iii many
of the counties suffering under large insect outbreaks the assessed
valuation is too low for the tax allowed to raise sufficient money to
e the crops. Ii is recommended thai the maximum levy be increased.
NINETEENTH REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 21
An idea of the work carried on under the county insect pest law
since its passage can be had by an examination of the tables printed
in this report regarding the grasshopper campaigns during 1921-22,
and the map, figure 3, which shows the high proportion of counties
which used the law during these years.
INSECT PESTS OF 1921
SNAILS (MOLLTJSCA)
Gray Garden Snail (Agriolimax agrestis Linn.). This snail, some-
times referred to as the garden "slug," has continued to cause dam
age to tomatoes, lettuce, turnips, and other garden truck in a few
localities.
MITES AND TICKS (ACARINA)
Pear-Leaf Blister-Mite (Eriophyes pyri Pgst.). See page 17.
THRIPS (THYSANOPTERA)
Thrips (Frankliniella tritici Fitch). Damage to alfalfa seed and
the honey flow by thrips continued this season but did not prove to
be as serious as in 1920.
In some orchards of the Bitter Root Valley fully 25 per cent of
the apples showed an unusual abundance of white blotches on the skin
similar to injury attributed to the egg-laying punctures of a thrips
by E. J. Newcomer, U. S. Bureau of Entomology, Yakima, Washing-
ton. This injury was particularly noticeable and annoying when at-
tempting to select show fruit.
GRASSHOPPERS, CRICKETS (ORTHOPTERA)
Mormon Cricket (Anabrus simplex Hald.). The appearance of
this insect in considerable numbers in Toole and Teton counties has
been the cause of some conjecture among the farmers as to the dam-
age which may occur next season. We have no record of this insect's
occurrence in these localities before. It was reported by the farmers
that the crickets came in from the northwest. This is a common in-
sect in the mountains and valleys in some parts of the State but has
never been observed so far east of the mountainous section before.
Warrior Grasshopper (Camnula pellucida Scudd.). This species
was the chief one concerned in grasshopper outbreaks in Flathead,
Sanders, Missoula, and Beaverhead counties. It was also present in
great numbers through central Montana along with the two following
species. (See general discussion on page 3.)
22 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
Lesser Migratory Locust (Melanoplus atlanis Riley). This species
predominated in outbreaks through the eastern part of the State.
(See general discussion, page 3.)
Two-Striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivattatus Say). This
species occurred along with M. atlanis through central and eastern
.Montana but was of much less importance.
THE TEUE BUGS, PLANT LICE, ETC. (HEMIPTERA)
Bedbug (Cimex lectularius L.). This well-known pest continues
to be a source of complaint in rural communities. Several instances of
infestations in garages where night help was quartered came to our
attention.
False Chinch Bug (Nysius ericae Schilling). The presence of this
insect within the ears of corn in Prairie County in September led to
the belief that it was the true chinch bug. No appreciable amount of
damage was reported.
Elm Gall Louse (Schizoneura americana Riley). There was the
usual number of complaints concerning injury by this insect from all
parts of the State where the elm has become an important shade tree.
Cabbage Aphis (Brevicoryne brassicae L.). There was a notice-
able increase in the abundance of this pest over 1920.
Green Apple Aphis (Aphis pomi DeGeer). These tiny green in-
sects were in evidence in many orchards of the Bitter Root Valley
but nowhere did they appear to be doing material damage.
Oyster-Shell Scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi L.). Comparatively little
injury was noticed in the Bitter Root Valley, although occasional trees
were found so badly infested that some of the branches were dead and
even the fruit itself was attacked.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS (LBPIDOPTEEA)
Pale Western Cutworm (Porosagrotis orthogoriia Morr.). See
page 11.
Other Cutworms. Euxoa ochrogaster Gn., the red-backed cut-
worm, caused a small amount of damage in Lewis and Clark County
in late June. Euxoa tristicula Morr. occurred early in the season in
March and April, feeding on Russian thistle in northern Montana.
Moths of Euxoa pallipennis Sm. occurred in greal numbers alon<: with
moths of Porosagrotis orthogonia Morr. in August and September. No
food plants of Euxoa paiiipennis were determined as no larvae were
collected. Xocfua rhindcstiua Harris, which is believed 1o i'rvd mostlv
NINETEENTH EEPOET OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 23
on garden truck and some grasses, occurred in unprecedented abun-
dance over a large part of the State, and the moths themselves, along
with those of Chorizagrotis auxiliaris Grote, became the source of
much annoyance in many localities. Agrotis havilae Grb. and Agrotis-
c-nigrum L. were collected along with Chorizagrotis auxiliaris on
April 20th as part of a large army of cutworms marching across
prairie land in the vicinity of Clarkston.
Red-Humped Apple Caterpillar (Schizura concinna A. & S.). The
larvae of this species caused some damage to the foliage of apple during
the latter part of July and first part of August in the vicinity of
Kalispell.
Sugar-Beet Webworm (Loxostege sticticalis L.). Although many
reports were received relative to the overwintering of immense num-
bers of this insect, especially throughout the more northern sections
of the State, it is not believed to have been nearly as abundant over
the State as a whole as during the past two or three years.
Imported Cabbage Worm (Pontia rapae L.). The common "cab-
bage worm" was responsible for much more than the average amount
of damage and in some instances repeated sprayings failed to give
satisfactory control.
Poplar Sphinx Moth (Marumba modesta Harris). Many speci-
mens of this moth came to the laboratory.
Green Fruit Worm (Xylina). Injury to the fruit by this green
caterpillar was noticed in many of the apple orchards of the Bitter
Root Valley, in some cases being of sufficient importance to warrant
control measures.
Codling Moth (Carpocapsa pomonella L.). This important fruil
pest has been found to occur throughout practically the entire Bitter
Root Valley. According to Dr. W. S. Regan, fruit pest control spe
cialist for the Montana Experiment Station, the long period during
which the developing fruit is exposed to the newly hatched larvae in
the warmer, drier climates probably explains the more serious nature
of the infestations in the vicinity of Missoula than farther up the
valley.
Bud Moth (Tmetocera ocellana Schif.). Injury to the opening
fruit buds in the spring, which reduces in a large measure the setting
of the fruit, and the feeding cavities in the fruit itself, caused by the
small brownish caterpillars, are responsible for the rather important
rating as a fruit pest which this insect generally receives. Practically
24 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
every orchard visited in the Bitter Root Valley showed evidence of
the presence of this pest, although there were few instances where the
injury appeared to be of sufficient importance to warrant the use of
special control measures.
Oblique-Banded Leaf-Roller (Archips rosaceana Harris). Moths
of this species were observed on July 9th in sufficient numbers to be
independently responsible for considerable injury, i. e., aside from in-
jury caused by the fruit-tree leaf -roller (Archips argyrospila Walker).
Fruit-Tree Leaf -Roller (Archips argyrospila Walker). See page 16.
Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea Drury). The large, conspicu-
ous tents of this insect were in evidence on apple trees during the
early part of August in the Bitter Root Valley, being especially
numerous in some of the orchards on the east side.
FLIES (DIPTERA)
Western Wheat Stem Maggot (Hylemyia cerealis Gillette). Dam-
age to fall and spring wheat by this insect through Hill, Chouteau,
Cascade, and Stillwater counties was very much more severe than for
any year since 1918 and many thousands of acres were either a total
loss or had to be reseeded.
Cherry Maggot (Rhagotetis cingulata Loew.) and (R. fausta 0.
S.). During the latter part of July cherries in an orchard on the
east side of the Bitter Root Valley were reported to be badly infested
with cherry maggot.
Greater Wheat Stem Maggot (Meromyza americana Fitch). A
small amount of damage caused by this insect was reported from Daw
son County.
Flesh Flies (Sarcophaga kellyi Aldrich). In a few sections of
the State where grasshopper outbreaks occurred and these parasili'
flies were aided by an extensive and timely use of poisoned bran mash,
they increased 1o such numbers that by the end of the season it was
evidenl thai little grasshopper trouble need be feared in 1922.
March Flies (Bibio sp. and Bihio alhiprnnis Say). Larvae of
March flies found in garden soil, beneath boards and rocks on the
ground, and the adults clustered on the foliage of currant and goose-
berry bushes, caused many inquiries to be made as to their possible
destructiveness.
NINETEENTH EEPOET OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 25
Bee Fly Larvae (Bombyliidae). Bee fly larvae were found to be
fairly abundant in many districts in the egg-beds of grasshoppers,
especially those of the warrior grasshopper (Camnula pellucida
Scudd.).
A Sunflower Maggot (Straussia longipennis Wied.). This mag-
got was found infesting 80 per cent or more of the Giant Russian
sunflowers grown on the college farm at Bozeman and was present
also in other parts of the Gallatin Valley. Although the percentage
of plants infested was high, the actual decrease in tonnage was small.
The maggots bore through the pith for almost the entire length of the
stalk, then leave the plant by boring their way to the outside some few
inches below the head, fall to the ground and there pupate about the
roots, remaining in the pupa stage over the winter.
Currant Fruit Fly (Epochra canadensis Loew.). This chief pest
of the currant in Montana continues to exact its annual toll of dam-
age to the currant crop.
BEETLES (COLEOPTEEA)
Fiery Ground Beetle (Calosoma calidum Fab.). This beetle with
its grub which has been called the "cutworm lion" has become more
abundant in northern Montana where it is one of the chief predators
of the pale western cutworm (Porosagrotis orthogonia Morr.).
Granary Weevils {Calendr a granaria L.). Only two infestations
of the granary weevil have come to our attention and this insect is
not believed to be widespread or the cause of much serious damage in
the State. Laemophloeus pusillus Schon was found along with Calen-
dra granaria L. but in much smaller numbers. (See page 17.)
Aphodian Dung Beetle (Aphodius inquinatus Hbst). Many
specimens of this insect in the larval stage came to the laboratory for
determination as it was thought' to be causing damage to crops. Adults
of this species were reported in May, 1920, to have fed on seeded wheat
in Chouteau County but there was no evidence whatever to show that
the larvae were the cause of any damage.
Cottonwood Leaf-Miner (Zeugophora scutellaris Suff.). Cotton-
woods suffered severely from this insect during August and September.
Wireworms (Elateridae) . In one county in north central Mon
tana wireworms were reported to have caused a loss of $30,000, mostly
on winter wheat. It was also declared that summer fallowed fields
suffered the most. The finding of more adequate control measures for
this pest has become very important to the grain interests of the State.
26 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
A Melon Pest (Prionus sp.). Larvae of a Prionus beetle caused
more or less serious damage by attacking the roots of watermelon
vines in Roosevelt County.
Flea Beetles (Epitrix subcrinita Lee., PJiyllotreta albionica Lee,
Psylloides punculata Melsh., Disonycha triangularis Say). Various
species of flea beetles caused considerable early damage to garden
truck generally over the State during the past season.
Blister Beetles (Epicauta maculata Say and Lytta nutalli Say).
These two species of blister beetles were especially abundant, accounted
for by the abundance of grasshopper eggs on which their young de-
velop. The adults themselves are often injurious to alfalfa and garden
truck.
Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar Herbst). A few apples
brought in from an orchard near Hamilton at picking time showed the
typical scar injury of the plum curculro. As these were the only ap-
ples seen which showed this injury, it is probable that this insect
has not yet become widely established in the Bitter Root Valley.
A New Strawberry Pest (Baris carbonaria Blatchley). Mention
was made in the State Entomologist's report for last year of an insect
which caused serious damage by boring in the crowns of young straw-
berry plants. Several larvae feeding within the crowns were reared
to adults and the above determination on a single specimen was made
by Mr. C. W. Leng who states that there is no former report of this
genus attacking strawberry. (Some doubt as to the exact species is
entertained until more specimens are examined.)
BEES, WASPS, ETC. (HYMENOPTERA)
Yellow Jackets (Vespidae). These insects were reported to have
caused some loss to one individual by feeding on raspberries.
Thread-Waisted Wasps (Sphex communis Cress.). Large num
bers of these insects found clustered on wheat heads during the first
few days in July were sent to us from widely separated sections of
the State.
INSECT PESTS OF 1922
MITES AND TICKS (ACARINA)
Pear-Leaf Blister-Mite (Eriophyes pyri Pgst.) On account of
a more general use of control measures against this pest in 1922 much
less damage occurred than in the previous year.
NINETEENTH REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 27
GRASSHOPPERS, CRICKETS (ORTHOPTERA)
Mormon Cricket (Anabrus simplex Hald.). A great increase in
the abundance of the Mormon cricket was noted this season. Large
swarms occurred in Sanders and Flathead counties in western Montana
and Judith Basin County and other localities through the central part
of the State. The damage caused to alfalfa was small and no dam-
age to grain crops was reported.
Warrior Grasshopper {Camnula pellucida Scudder). This species
was again the chief one concerned in western Montana and through
some counties just east of the Rocky Mountains. (See discussion on
grasshoppers, page 3.)
Bruner's Grasshopper (Melanopius bruneri Scudder). Damage
to grain by this species in the Shield's River Valley, Park County, oc-
curred this season. This is the first record of injury by M. bruneri in
this State.
Two-Striped Grasshopper {Melanopius bivittatus Say). The two-
striped grasshopper showed a great increase, especially along the Yel-
lowstone River during the past season.
TRUE BUGS, PLANT LICE, ETC. (HEMIPTERA)
Cabbage Aphis (Breuicoryne brassicae L.). This insect which was
very injurious in 1921 was even more troublesome during the past
season.
Green Apple Aphis {Aphis pomi DeGeer). In some orchards on
the east side of the Bitter Root Valley this aphis was rather prevalent
and caused some damage.
Pea Aphis (lllionia pisi Kalt.). During the last of May and the
early part of June serious outbreaks of this pest attacking alfalfa oc
curred near Park City and Laurel in Yellowstone County. Large
acreages were infested to such an extent that heavy losses seemed in-
evitable. Within but a few days of the discovery of the infestations
the plants were very much wilted and little hope of their recovery
was entertained. However, the larvae and adults of four species of
ladybugs became sufficiently abundant to wipe out the aphid infesta-
tions within a few days and cut down the loss to the alfalfa to a small
part of what was expected. The ladybugs concerned were Coccinella
transversoguttata Fald., Hippodamia convergens Guer., Hippodamia
5-signata Kirby, and Hippidamia parenthesis Say.
c
28 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
Oyster-Shell Scale (Lepidosaphes ulmi It.). This scale is an ever-
present enemy of the fruit grower in western Montana, especially
near Missoula and Grantsdale. In the case of crahapples, a very high
percentage of the fruit is attacked.
BUTTERFLIES, MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA)
Pale Western Cutworm (Porosagrotis orthogonia Morr.). The
past season saw the first large decrease in the ahundance of this pest
since it came into such prominence as a grain pest in 1919. (See
discussion on the pale western cutworm, page 11.)
Army Cutworm (Chorizagrotis auxiliaris Grote). Some few field
of grain in the north central part of the State suffered attack hy this
cutworm.
Euxoa pallipennis Smith. In the past two or three years during
the time that traps have been set for the moths of the pale western
cutworm (Porosagrotis orthogonia Morr.) the moths of Euxoa palli-
pennis have been caught in enormous numbers. None of the host
plants, however, on which the larvae of this species develop were
known until this year when great numbers of them were found feeding
on Russian thistle, (Salsola pestifer A. Nels.). As this is the most
common weed in northern Montana it is not surprising that E. palli-
pennis has been so abundant. As none of this species has been reared
from the great numbers of cutworms collected in grain it is doubtful
if it ever feeds on any of our grain crops.
Army Worm (Cirphis unipuneta Haw.). A few larvae of this
species were sent to the laboratory on September 6th from Waterloo,
Montana.
Striped Morning Sphinx (Celerio lineata Fab.). This insect was
exceptionally abundant during the past season.
Achemon Sphinx (PJiolus achemon Drury). Tbe larvae of this
insect feeding on vines, and especially Virginia creeper, were trouble-
some in towns along the Yellowstone River.
Imported Cabbage Worm (Poiitia rapae L.). This pest was again
very abundant and caused much loss to the cabbage crop.
Five-Spoiled ITawk Moth (Protoparce quinquemaculatus Haw.).
A pupa of this species found in tbe soil near a hill of potatoes at
Vanada was received in the laboratory in October.
Fruit-Tree Leaf-Roller (Archips argyrospila Walker). See page 16.
Coddling MCoth (Carpocapsa pomonella L.). Bud Moth (Tmeto-
NINETEENTH REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 29
cera ocellana Schif.). Both the codling moth and the bud moth caused
noteworthy damage in the Bitter Root Valley.
Western Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma fragilis Stretch) feeding
on wild rose, and the Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria
Hubner) on poplar, apple, and wild rose, were very plentiful during
the past summer.
Thistle Butterfly (Vanessa cardui L.). Great numbers of the lar-
vae of this butterfly were observed feeding on Canada thistle (Carduus
arvensis L.) in western Montana. No damage to cultivated sunflowers
was reported.
FLIES (DIPTERA)
Warble Fly (Hypoderma sp.). Two partially grown larvae of
Hypoderma were expressed from under the skin of a child five years
old at Dixon. One came from a swollen congested area immediately
anterior to the orifice of the left ear, the other from vertex of skull.
Sunflower Maggot (Straussia longipennis Wied.). This maggot
was again present in a large percentage of the sunflower plants on the
college farm.
Currant Fruit Fly (Epochra canadensis Loew.). The currant
fruit fly was especially injurious in the western part of the State.
BEETLES (COLEOPTERA)
Fiery Hunter (Calosoma calidum Fab.). Although in the north
ern part of the- State, through the country infested with the pale
western cutworm, there was last year a fair abundance of this beetle,
during 1922 it was noticeably scarce.
Flea Beetles. The species of flea beetles given in Insect Pests of
1921 were again very injurious this season.
Alder Flea Beetle (Haltica bimarginata Say). This insect oc
curred in great numbers at Glasgow, Valley County, and Glendive,
Dawson County.
Blister Beetles (Epicauta maculata Say and Lytta nuttalli Say).
These two blister beetles were very abundant over the entire State and
caused much damage in farm gardens. Some damage by them to al-
falfa was reported.
Wireworms (Elateridae) . Considerable damage to the potato crop
in some eastern counties as well as in the western counties of Sanders,
Flathead, and Missoula was done by wireworms.
30 MONTANA BULLETIN 150
BEES, WASPS (HYMENOPTERA)
Ants (Formicidae). Many requests were received for information
on the control of ants in wheat fields. The usual number of complaints
regarding house ants were also received.
Pine Sawfly. A sawfly occurring in enormous numbers through
the pine belt in southeastern Montana did a great amount of damage
by completely stripping the needles from the trees attacked. The
period of greatest feeding was during the month of July and the first
part of August.
RECOMMENDATIONS
There can be no doubt that the actual saving of crops from grass-
hoppers in Montana in 1922 was well over two and a half millions of
dollars. This work centers in the State Entomologist's office which co-
operates with the county agents in counties where there are such agents
and with county officers where there are no agents. Grasshoppers are
the main insect pest at the present time but our activities are by no
means confined to fighting these insects. There are many pests of some-
what lesser importance. Each season differs in its demands and we
are compelled to maintain an office and laboratory system prepared to
meet any situation that may arise. The basis of the work is technical
information which we ourselves must gather. The work is actively
connected at all times with that of the Experiment Station which main-
tains a separate staff.
The work of the State Entomologist's office is maintained on an
appropriation of $3,900 — a. sum ridiculously small when compared with
what is accomplished with it. One man only, the Assistant State En
tomologist, Mr. A. L. Strand, is employed under this fund. The State
Entomologist receives no salary as such. Mr. Strand's salary and all
of his expenses, as well as any student assistance, supplies and sun-
dries, must be paid for from this $3,900. In many instances during
recent years it has been necessary to refuse his services to different
counties and communities when his presence would have undoubtedly
resulted both in much saving of crops and in a more satisfactory return
in taxes to the county and State treasuries. It can be easily demon-
strated t'rniii our records that information originating in this office has
repeatedly resulted in the saving to the State in a single day many
times over the entire annual appropriation for this work. In recent
years we have been able to attend only to the most insistent emergency
NINETEENTH EEPOET OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 31
matters. We know that much damage is being done to the principal
crops of the State by other insects and we are unable to give them any
attention whatever. Almost no attention has been paid to the alfalfa
weevil during the past three years. It may be, and very likely is,
present unrecognized in some part of Montana at this time. It is
very unwise to neglect to survey the State for the alfalfa weevil
and other pests of like character. There have been times when the
Assistant State Entomologist, with time available, has remained in the
office because there was no money for traveling expenses.
The time has come when another assistant must be employed in
this work. It is recognized that the condition of the State treasury
does not warrant branching out into new expenditures, but this is not
the place to economize. Under present conditions, instead of taking
an aggressive attitude toward the pest situation we are compelled to
do the best we can in meeting emergencies only and explain to farmers
and county officials that we have no funds.
Without hesitation and in full knowledge of the condition of the
State treasury, I urge that increased funds be made available to this
office.
Following is the budget of estimated expenses as it has been sub-
mitted through the proper channels:
1923-24 1924-25
Office assistance $ 150 $ 150
Assistant State Entomologist 2,700 2,700
Second assistant - 2,000 2,000
Labor „| 200 200
Other employees (temporary assistance — May,
June, July) 450 450
Sundry office supplies 40 40
Telephone and telegraph _ 100 100
Express, freight and drayage 15 15
Traveling expense 1,450 1,450
Printing and binding publications 50 50
Poisons and chemicals 40 40
Laboratory supplies 150 150
General supplies and expenses 15 15
Library and reference books 50 50
Totals $7,410 $7,410
