s

353.9

E3R

1925 NO. 20

1

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

Agricultural Experiment Station

BULLETIN X(). 17(1

JANUARY, 1925

Montana Insect Pests for 1923 and 1924

Being the Twentieth Report of the State Entomologist

of Montana

15 Y
It. A. COOLEY

Wheat stems with sheath removed, showing Hessian
fly puparia or "flax seeds." This new pest has
appeared in eastern Montana and is doing much

"i,mage- SMIE PUBLICATIONS COM

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OCT 3 1 2007

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
HELENA, MONTANA 59620

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L UTTER OF TRANSMITTAL

Bozeman, Montana, January s. 1925.

To His Excellency,

Governor John E. Erickson,
Helena, Montana.

My dear Sir:

I have the pleasure and the honor to hand you herewith my twentieth
report as State Entomologist of Montana. The report covers the calendal years
1923 and 1924. In former years we printed a report each year. It is now our
plan, in the interest of economy, to print only one report in two years. Thes<
reports are printed as a part of the regular scries of bulletins of the Montana
Agricultural Experiment Station.

In addition to duties in Montana state College and in the Experiment
Station, I have served as State Entomologist of Montana since 1903. A con
tinuous effort ha9 been made to coordinate the work of the control of grass-
hoppers and other serious insect pests with the research conducted by the
Experiment Station. While many other States have been under the expense
of maintaining a separate State Entomologist's office, in Montana we have
maintained the duties of this office in conjunction with the Experiment station.
There has been a saving of salaries and an avoidance of duplication of collec-
tions of insects, library, equipment, and housing.

1 believe it is advisable to continue to carry this work as a pari of the
duties of the department of entomology of the Experiment Station. They can
not be carried, however, without funds. The last legislature, because of a
technicality in the law, reduced the appropriation to $4;~0. It was necessary
to disiKit.se with the services of the assistant state entomologist, which seriously
interrupted the continuity of the work.

It is most earnestly desired that serious consideration be given to placing
the work of this office on a reasonably effective basis.

Wry i espeel fully \ oui s,

1{. A. ( JOOLEY

Statt Entomologist

Twentieth Report of the
State Entomologist

The original law providing for a state Entomologist was passed
in 1903 and lias not been amended. The sum of money then appropria-
ted was +300, and this amount has been increased from time to time
until in 1921 the sum available was +.'900. At the last legislative
-t^sion (1923) the Committee on Boards and Commissions called
attention to the language of the original law, which reads as follows:

"Section 4. The State Entomologist shall receive no compensation
for his services other than what lie may receive from the Montana
Agricultural College and Experiment Station, but his actual traveling
expenses not to exceed three hundred dollars shall be paid, and such
sum is hereby annually appropriated for the purposes of this act out
of the moneys of the Stale Treasury, not otherwise appropriated."

This language was construed to mean that it was illegal for the
State Entomologist to expend in excess of +300, or rather, in excess of
.+500; because evidently the committee had seen the law as it reads
in the Revised Code of 1907. sections 766-769, where the sum appeal's
as +500. In the closing hours of the legislature the appropriation for
this office was fixed at +500. in keeping with the committee's findings,
although the appropriation in the previous year had been $3900. When
the Governor's 10 per cent reduction wTas made the amount available
was reduced to +450 per year, which has been the sum received during
the biennium now closing.

With only +450 in sight for the work of this office it became nee-
sssary to dispense with the services of the Assistant State Entomologist,
Mr. A. L. Strand. Accordingly he was at once notified and departed
during the spring of 1923 to an excellent position in Pennsylvania
state College at an advance in salary. Mr. Strand had been with this
department as Assistant State Entomologist since June 1, 1917. His
service had been of the highest character and had resulted in tre-
mendous savings in money to the farmers of Montana, not only from
losses by grasshoppers but from losses by numerous other kinds of
insect pests.

During the season of 1923 following the departure of Mr. Strand,
it was necessary to restrict our activities in behalf of the farmers

4 MONTANA BULLETIN 170

mainly to what could be done from the office. In past years a system
had been built up by which we have been able to get good results
in cooperating against the ravages of insect pests. The State Ento-
mologist's office outlines the campaign for the year, and communicates
with the county agents and the county commissioners where there are
no county agents. This office gets information regarding sources of
supplies and prices and takes the leadership in eampaigns. We have
had material assistance from the county insect pest law of 1921. It
being impossible to put an assistant in the field in 1923, it was decided
to do what we could through correspondence and continuation of the
organization that had been built up. Accordingly, mimeographed cir-
culars of information were sent out and a correspondence was kept up
with the various counties and as good a campaign put on as possible
under the circumstances. However, the situation became rather alarm
ing during the season and there were those in the State who believed
that a catastrophe was impending because of the great hordes of
grasshoppers that had appeared, notably in the north central portion of
the State. Grasshoppers, after feeding to maturity and mowing wings,
had risen into the air until it was reported to us that they had hazed
the sun. Great clouds of them had passed over but no one could tell
just where they had come from or where they were going. The sur-
rounding country was all seriously infested.

It was courteously brought to our attention also by represen
tatives of the Canadian government that in their opinion grasshoppers
were migrating from Montana northward across the international
boundary into the Canadian provinces and reinfesting territory which
had been practically cleared of grasshoppers. The province of Alberta
had in the season of 1923 put on a very extensive campaign in which
approximately three-quarters of a million dollars was expended. Th*.\
were alarmed over the prospect that their land might be reinfested
and they would have the work to repeat. Bankers and others interested
in the welfare of the State, with heavy investments at stake, were
interested in knowing whether or not the grasshopper outbreak would
he repeated in 1924 and what steps were being taken to prevent such
an outbreak. Reports of a very discouraging nature were received from
various points in the northern part of the State.

TWENTIETH REPOKT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 5

THE GREAT FALLS CONFERENCE

Following a consultation between Mr. Stewart Lockwood, of the
United States Bureau of Entomology at Billings, and the State Ento-
mologist at Bozeman, in July, 1923, a general conference was called to
take place at Great Falls on August 31st. Representatives of the
railroads, bankers, the State Department of Agriculture, farmers'
organizations, credit organizations, members of Congress, and ento-
mologists from neighboring states were invited to be present. Repre-
sentatives from the Canadian provinces to the north were also invited.
Practically all of these organizations, as well as others, were repre-
sented and in addition many individuals were present. A one-day
session was held at which reports were received of conditions in the
several states and the Canadian provinces, as well as in the various
parts of Montana. It developed that the situation centered in Mon-
tana and in the judgment of the entomologists present there was
much prospect that a very serious situation might develop during 1924.
The conference considered ways and means of meeting the situation.
Consideration was given to asking Congress to furnish relief. A com-
mittee, consisting of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. C. C. Davis,
Mr. Stewart Lockwood, and the State Entomologist, was appointed
to take charge of the situation and secure relief if possible.

After giving careful consideration to the facts which existed, it
was determined to be inadvisable to ask Congress to make appropria-
tions for the relief of the situation. The three members of the com-
mittee cooperated to canvass the State to determine more accurately
just what the conditions were. We particularly desired to determine
where and how extensive the egg-beds were in Montana in the fall of
1923. The State Entomologist was without funds. The State De-
partment of Agriculture, through Mr. Davis, financed one-half of
the survey and Mr. J. R. Parker, of the Experiment Station department
of entomology, made the survey in the western half of the State. The
Bureau of Entomology at its own expense very kindly assisted in the
• ■mergency and furnished both men and funds for a survey of the
eastern half of the State. The reports of these two agencies were
consolidated and appear in graphic form in a map (Fig. 3) which
shows the location and extent of the egg-beds as they occurred in the
fall of 1923. From the information accumulated it was very evident
t hat there was much reason to believe that a serious outbreak of grass-

6 MONTANA BULLETIN 170

hoppers would again develop in 1924, and that ii would be unwise
for the State not to take account of it. Accordingly, the situation was
brought to the attention of the Governor and a requesl made for author-
ity to overdraw during the season of 1924. Detailed estimates of the
sum were submitted, amounting to ^iWOO, and approval of the plan
secured from the State Board of Examiners. It was next necessary
to find agencies to advance the money. Various plans were consid-
ered but in the end the State Bankers' Association was good enough
to give us assistance in this matter. We wish here to acknowledge
the excellent cooperation and effective assistance rendered by Mr. A. T.
Hibbard, secretary of the State Bankers' Association. Through this
association we were assured of a fund of $6600. and an effort was
made to secure the services of an entomologist qualified to conduct
this situation.

It was impossible to find a qualified person who would take the
position with the conditions as they were in Montana. Those capable
of doing this kind of work naturally had positions and did not <';\vr
to make a change with any degree of uncertainty of tenure here. It
was known throughout the United States that the State Entomologist
in Montana had suffered a reduction in funds to the point where ii
was necessary to dismiss the Assistant State Entomologist. No "tie
wanted to venture to take the position until an appropriation for this
work had been regularly made.

We were confronted with the necessity of having a qualified
man, yet with no one available to do the work. Mr. J. P. Parker,
associate entomologist on the Experiment Station staff, who was
particularly qualified in grasshopper work because of the research
which he had been conducting, was placed in charge during the height
of the grasshopper season. To do this was a marked injustice to the
Experiment Station, for Mr. Parker was removed from his research
work during just that portion of the year when he could most effec-
tively pursue his studies on grasshoppers. The work of the Bxper
iment Station suffered. It is by such work in the Experiment Station
that we are able to meet outbreaks of insect pests in Montana in an
effective manner. The money provided for this research work comes
from Federal funds (Adams Fund) and it is necessary once a year
to make an accounting to the Office of Experiment Stations in Wash-
ington. We can not again remove from the staff of the Experiment

TWENTIETH EEPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 7

Station a person to take charge of a pest control campaign in the State.
The fund provided by the State Bankers' Association, as men-
tioned above, was not all expended. In outlining how much money
would be necessary, we had expected to put a regular assistant on the
payroll. In this way we would have avoided a transfer of Mr. Parker
to this work. As matters developed a part of the salary of Mr. Parker
was paid from the State Bankers' fund for three months only. Again,
as the season developed it was apparent that the grasshopper out-
break was not going to be so severe or so extensive as we had planned
for and less money was needed for temporary assistants and their
traveling expenses than had been expected. Therefore instead of ex-
pending $6600, as had been provided, we paid out $3399.85, which
amount will be certified by the State Board of Examiners as a de-
ficiency claim.

DUTIES OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST

There is abundant evidence that the work and duties of the State
Entomologist's office are not generally understood by the public, nor
its relations with the State Board of Entomology well known. The
confusion has arisen very largely because of the similarity of the
names. The office of State Entomologist was established in 1903 (see
Revised Code 1907, sections 766, 767). It is the duty of the State
Entomologist to "conduct field investigations of the injurious insects
of fruits, vegetables, grains, grasses, forage crops, including clover
and alfalfa, root crops, shade trees, ornamental plants, and any other
insects that may become injurious." In other words, the duties of the
State Entomologist are concerned with the defense of agriculture
against insect pests.

THE STATE BOARD OF ENTOMOLOGY

By an act of the legislature in 1911 (see Political Code of 1921,
chapter 197) the State Entomologist was made a member and the
secretary of the State Board of Entomology, on which board he co-
operates with the State veterinary surgeon and the secretary of the
State Board of Health. The creation of this board grew out of the
spotted fever problem in western Montana. Previous investigations
of the spotted fever situation by the State Department of Health under
a former secretary and the entomologist of the Experiment Station
at Bozeman had developed that the problem embraces entomological

8 MONTANA BULLETIN 170

work because of the spotted fever tick, veterinary work because domestic
animals are involved in tick control, and the services of the board of
health because spotted fever is a disease of human beings. Member-
ship on the Board of Entomology is ex-officio and involves no addition-
al salaries excepting for actual services of assistants in research and
control work. The board members receive no compensation outside of
their regular salaries elsewhere in the State organization. The duties
of the State Entomologist have to do only with agriculture. The duties
of the Board of Entomology have to do only with the health of man
and domestic animals.

THE DUTIES OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
MORE IN DETAIL

The duties of the State Entomologist in the control of agricultural
insect pests will be better understood if presented somewhat more in
detail. As originally drawn it was the intention of the law to make
it possible for the Experiment Station entomologist to take his wTork
into all the State and make it effective in the control of insect
pests. This was necessary and still is necessary because the wTork of
controlling insect pests is technical in nature and little understood
by the public. The duties may be summarized under two headings :
first, the State Entomologist meets emergency outbreaks of grass-
hoppers, cutworms, and so forth: second, he assists in the prevention
of a large number of less important losses. There is always enough
to do to keep him profitably occupied even if there are no emergency
outbreaks, but for the last decade there has been scarcely a year in
which there was not an emergency of major importance in the State.
He cooperates witli the county agents in counties where there are
such agents and with other officials, such as Smith-Hughes teachers,
county pest control leaders, and county clerks in counties where there
are no county agents. He is the State leader in carrying out the pro-
visions of the county insect pest law. (Political Code, 1921, sections
4501-4505). He takes the results of the research and experimental
work on insect pests from our own Experiment Station and from other
experiment stations to the farmers of the State. He conducts an ex-
tensive correspondence throughout the year on the control of insect
pests in all branches of agriculture. He accumulates information on
the sources of supplies, such as arsenic and the other ingredients of
the grasshopper poison. He looks up spraying material and issues

TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 9

circulars of information on these supplies for the guidance of county
agents and for the benefit of the farmer. By this agency the De
partment of Entomology at the Agricultural College is kept in touch
with the conditions and needs throughout the State, thereby making
it possible to conduct its research work more effectively and more
adequately to meet the needs of Montana.

OTHER DUTIES OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST

Since the passage of the original law various other laws have
been enacted placing added duties upon the State Entomologist. The
county insect pest act (Political Code of 1921, sections 4501-4505)
provides that the county commissioners in any county shall take steps
whenever necessary to meet emergency outbreaks of insect pests. They
may appoint suitable persons to act under the direction of the State
Entomologist in the destruction of insect pests. County commissioners
may purchase supplies and hire persons, thereby incurring expenses
which may be paid from the general fund and in turn returned to
the general fund by a special levy on the count}' not to exceed one mill.

The arrangement between the State Entomologist's office and
the several counties provides that the counties shall take charge of
local campaigns under the leadership of the county agents or some
other authorized individual. This office provides a method of control
according to up-to-date information on the subject and advises with
the local officers throughout the State. It is necessary for repre-
sentatives of this office to visit the several counties in order to de-
cide such points as whether the campaign is necessary or whether
the county pest act should be employed at all. It has been the policy
of this office not to sanction the expenditure of county funds unless
we were reasonably certain that a campaign would be successful. It
it not possible to get results by correspondence alone. A considerable
amount of expense is necessary for traveling in this connection. The
agent of this office has information as to where supplies may be se-
cured and can advise regarding amounts necessary and prices. He
generally advises with the county commissioners and helps them to
determine howT much money it is necessary to set aside for the work.

It should be commented at this point that the county pest act has
l>een a very effective assistance to this office and of immense value
to many counties in meeting serious pest outbreaks. The triangular
combination of a centralized state office, a county post act, and a

10 MONTANA BULLETIN L70

system of county agents, provides an effective organization for this
service and has resulted in the saving of millions of dollars to the
farmers of the state of Montana. They have thereby been better able
to meet their banking and other obligations and to pay their taxes
during the period of stress through which the State has been passing.

THE INSECTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE ACT

The insecticide and fungicide act (Political Code of 1921, sec-
lions 2600-2614) provides that "it shall be the duty of the State
Entomologist upon the advice and under the direction of the director
of the Experiment Station to collect from time to time and deliver
to the director of the Experiment Station specimens of insecticides,
paris greens, lead arsenates, and fungicides in unbroken original pack-
ages, manufactured or offered for sale in the state of Montana, for the
purpose of determining whether or not such insecticides, paris greens,
lead arsenates, and fungicides are adulterated or misbranded within
the meaning of this act."

This act is coordinate with the Federal insecticide act of 1910, the
language of which is followed closely in the Montana act. It pro-
tects the State against the manufacture and sale within its boundary
of adulterated and misbranded insecticides and fungicides.

COOPERATION WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperation of the Agricultural College and the Experiment
Station with the Stale Department of Agriculture is provided for in
section 7 of their act (chapter 216, 217, Session Laws of 1921.)

In practice it has worked out that the State Entomologist is co-
operating rather extensively with the State Department of Agricul-
ture and this office lias received very much assistance from that de-
partment which it is very pleased to acknowledge.

In an informal manner the State Entomologist cooperates without
specific authority in law with various other departments and agencies
in the Slate.

NEEDS FOR THE COMING BIENNIUM

The interruption of the work of the State Entomologisl by the
suspension of the funds during the biennium now closing was a
serious matter and difficult to bridge over. Through the cooperation
of the State Bankers' Association a fund was provided to meet the

TWENTIETH EEPOET OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 11

grasshopper situation in 1924 and a deficiency appropriation is be-
ing asked for to reimburse the bankers of the State. It so happened
that the outbreak of grasshoppers was a matter pretty well understood
by the county agents and it was possible to organize a fairly effective
campaign on short notice. If the outbreak had been of some new
pest, such as, for instance, the Hessian fly, which during 1924 was
found in the eastern portion of the State, then the situation would
have been quite different and it would have been impossible to or-
ganize an effective campaign without having an assistant in the
position during the whole year. It should not be necessary for the
state of Montana to go through such an experience again. Two things
should be done. First, an amendment to the State Entomologist law
should be passed making it legal for this office to expend such sums
as the legislature may from time to time appropriate. An effort was
made to get this amendment passed during the last session of the
legislature but the matter did not come up until a late date and we did
not succeed in getting the measure through. Second, an adequate
appropriation should be made which will enable us to meet emergen-
cies and to carry on the regular routine work of the office which in
itself is absolutely necessary in order that we may be able to meet
emergencies when they arise. It is quite impossible to maintain this
kind of service without having an organization intact all of the time.
We can not expect to secure the services of a competent person to do
this work on short notice. Such people are already occupied and the
continued service of an assistant, whom we have known as the Assistant
State Entomologist in our organization, is necessary in order that we
may be informed of conditions in the State and be in position to meet
emergencies when they arise. There might be a year in which there
was no outstanding emergency, such as a grasshopper outbreak, but
such would only afford us an opportunity to more effectively prepare
ourselves for the serious situations which do arise nearly every year.
We need information at all times from the four corners of the State
and this can be secured only by organized, aggressive work. More-
over, there is always a host of lesser pests, the damage from which
in the aggregate amounts to large sums of money. When emergencies
exist these minor affairs are largely neglected. In other words, in
the past we have been driven by circumstances and have not been per-
mitted to organize our work and drive forward in a comprehensive

12 MONTANA BULLETIN 17"

manner to meet the entire pest situation as it exists in the State. The
means which we have had in the past have been wholly inadequate
and we have been unable to make the savings that might be made.

Through the appropriate channels estimates for the work of this
office have been presented for the consideration of the legislature.
The total sum requested is $9300 per year, which will enable us to
again have an assistant in the office, pay his traveling expenses, se-
cure temporary assistants when emergencies arise and pay their ex-
penses to act under the direction of the Assistant State Entomologist.
This fund will also provide for office and laboratory expenses on a
very moderate basis. It should be borne in mind in this connection
that the State Entomologist is the entomologist of the Experiment
Station and professor of entomology at the College. It is impossible
for him alone to carry out the provisions of the State Entomologist
law. The assistant is the active agent and works under the direction
of the head of this department who coordinates all of the services in
entomology in the institution. This duty was added to the Experiment
Station entomologist in the interest of general economy in the State.
Many states have a separate office to carry this work and it is often
located at the state capital. Such an office requires an extensive
equipment and a personnel to do the work. There must be a library,
a collection of insects, and scientific equipment. Under the arrange-
ment in force in Montana we have been able to avoid duplication of
a library and large expense in accumulating insect collections and
equipment. There are certain other advantages in the centralization
of this highly specialized type of service. The Experiment Station
has been kept constantly in touch with the needs of the State, and the
search work that has been conducted has a much more direct bearing
upon the needs of Montana agriculture than might well have been the
ease had the two not been officially connected.

COOPERATION OF RAILWAYS
Early in the season application was made to the railroads doing
business in Montana to grant a half rate on supplies used by the
farmers in making the poisoned bran mash to be used in killing
grasshoppers. Rates were granted by the Great Northern, -Northern
Pacific, and Butte, Anaconda and Pacific railroads. No request was
made of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Pan! because we knew of no
grasshopper difficulties iii the portions of the State where that road

TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 13

operates. Advantage of this was taken by many counties and sums
amounting to several thousands of dollars in the aggregate were saved
to the farmers. While this direct saving was much appreciated by
the farmers, the fact that such a rate was made had much to do with
putting on a more general and more extensive campaign than would
have been possible without the concession, thereby resulting in much
increased saving of crops.

SUMMARY OF THE GRASSHOPPER EXPERIENCES
DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS

Montana in recent years has been experiencing a serious grass-
hopper outbreak. There has been more or less difficulty with this pest
since 1017 but beginning with 1020 and continuing to the present time
the outbreak has been widespread and very destructive.

Table I shows in brief form the campaigns conducted since 1921.

TABLE I.— SUMMARY OF GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN

1921 1922 1923 l'J24

County fuuds used.... 94,735 184,999 94,844 42,030

Tons bait used " 5.57!> 4.2:>j 1,779

Acres treated 296,227 739,551 466484 241,371

Estimated saving 503,112 "7.150 1,616,750 794,300

It will be observed that in 1024 there was a considerable dropping off
in the extent of the trouble. It is probable that in 1925 there will be
still less trouble from this pest, yet we expect more or less diffi-
culty. The species concerned is the lesser migratory locust which
now can not be distinguished from the old Rocky Mountain migratory
locust which fiftv years ago was exceedingly destructive over an
area in the Northwest extending through several years. Other species
of grasshoppers have been present in a lesser degree, but the main
source of trouble is the lesvser migratory locust, scientifically known
as Melanoplus a thin is Riley.

To our knowledge during these four years a total of $416,608 has
been used from county funds and a conservative estimate of the sav-
ings effected through the joint agencies of this office and the counties
has amounted to $5,301,312. Much irreater savings could have been
brought about if we had had a more adequate organization. We have
been seriously limited because of insufficient funds.

1 1

Montana bulletin 170

The activities in grasshopper control arc given by counties in

Tables II and 1 1 L as follows:

The extent of the grasshopper outbreak, year by .year, is graph-
ically shown in the maps presented in figures 1, 2. 3, and 4.

TABLE II GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN SUMMARY FOR 1923.

County County Funds Tons Kail Acreage Estimated

Used Used Treated Saving

Beaverhead . 1.000 37 4,000 8,000

Blaine 3,500 125 12,500 50,000

Cascade 4, r.2;; 259 51,800 89,000

Carbon 4. cor, 120 12,000 25,000

Chouteau 2,200 95 30.000 30,000

Custer '-'70 16 2,000 1,000

Daniels 33 2,500 12,500
Fallon

Fergus 15,000 204 30,000 120,000

Gallatin 2,880 S7 19,684 100,000

Glacier 2,500 100 10,000 20,000

refferson 1,300 40 4.000 8,000

Lake 1,500 50 5,000 10,000

Lewis and Clark 2.000 420 10.000 120,0'«:o

Madison 4,000 104 12,000 55,000

Pondera 21. on; 004 50,000 253,000

Phillips 32 4.000 20,000

Prairie 678 11 1.200 2,400

Ravalli .... 30 10 100 400

Kichland 1,450 50 5,000 20.000

RooseveU 507 40 8.000 44,950

Itosebud 333 •", i. 000 5,000

Sauders 100 3.5 100 1,500

Sheridan 1,000 :;2 1.000 20,000

Stillwafe 3,230 185 30,000 60,000

Tf'ton 4,800 750 75,000 375,000

Toole 6.500 2LT) _':;,000 46,000

Valley 1,273 CO 6.000 30,000

Wheatland 1,000 135 12,000 25,000

Yellowstone 1,459 230 31,000 62,000

Total [14,844 1,233 166,184 1,616,750

TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST

15

TABLE III— GRASSHOPPER CAMPAIGN SUMMARY FOR 1024.

County County Funds Tons Bait Acreage Estimated

Used Used Treated Saving

Broadwater

Carbon 1,200 30 3,900 7,500

Cascade 1,864 30 8,000 10,000

Custer 200 7 1,000 2,000

I »eer Lodge

Glacier 850 34 7,500 25,000

Gallatin 250 10 1,050 10,000

Granite ....• ...., ■ ;

Hill -'.TOO 64 S000 40,000

Jefferson 250 6 800 1,500

Lewis and Clark 1,358 62 15.500 00,000

Liberty 100 20 3,000 5,000

Lincoln - .... 135 1 100 300

Madison .. 1,500 s" 8,000 20,000

Pondera 15,000 638 110,000 500,000

Powell

Rosebud 125 2 500 i 500

Stillwater 2,683 130 11,000 20,000

Sweet Grass ... 1,800 91 11,000 20,000

Teton 1,000 500 30,000 50,000

rooie s,500 i<»", 20.000 ;ioo,<KKi

Wheatland 1,123 40 7,500 10,0(111

Yellowstone 775 30 4,000 ; CjjjgljO

Total s 11.71:: 1,908 252, 371 S14#00

16

MONTANA BULLETIN L70

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TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 21

THE HESSIAN FLY

During the past season it has come to our knowledge that the
Hessian fly has appeared in eastern Montana, where it has in some
fields taken as high as 30 per cent of the crop. No one can tell what
the future of this insect will be in Montana. It has a bad reputa-
tion elsewhere. On several occasions the damages in the wheat belt
from this insect have amounted to upward of $100,000,000 in a single
year. In 1922 the damage to the Iowa wheat crop alone was $1,500,000.
From what we have seen already we know that this insect is capable
of doing damage which if unchecked would prohibit wheat growing.
The State Entomologist has lacked funds to make an adequate survey
of the conditions. We do not know how far the insect extends. The
nature of the insect is such that the farmer does not know of its
presence in many cases. Unless an adequate appropriation is made to
this office, the insect will spread, inflict its losses, and the farming
public will remain largely in ignorance. The Hessian fly must be
studied in each locality in order to know how to control it. So far
it has been found in Richland, Roosevelt, Wibaux, and Dawson counties.

THE JACK PINE SAWFLY

Lodge pole pines in the vicinity of West Yellowstone in Montana
and in Yellowstone National Park were seriously damaged during the
summer of 1924 by an insect known as the jack pine sawfly. Wide
areas of forest lands have been attacked by this insect, leaving a brown
appearance as though swept by fire. The experience with this insect
in other states would indicate that it is a pest of much importance
but it will probably die out after a few years prevalence. Associated
with this insect is the pine leaf tier (species undetermined).

AN INSECT DESTROYING THE LOCO
Dr. Howard Welch, of the veterinary department, brought to the
attention of this department an insect very destructive to the loco
plant. This proved to be a new species which has recently been de-
scribed by Dr. W. Schaus as Epischnia parkerella. This insect is very
abundant in Park and Sweet Grass counties where it has in some
places, according tb ranchers, been very valuable in ridding their
ranges of loco. The insect bores into the crown and stem of the loco
plant, causing it to wilt and die. The course of the life history was

22 MONTANA BULLETIN 170

followed during the summer. No parasites of this insect have ye1
been found.

THE FOUL BROOD DISEASE OP HONEY BEES
In earlier reports of the State Entomologist attention was called
repeatedly to the need for a foul brood law. No provision was made
for the control of foul brood disease of bees until the State Depart-
ment of Agriculture law was set up and since that time it has been
impossible for that division of the state service to do all that the
commissioner has desired because of the lack of sufficient funds. The
situation has been getting steadily worse until there is now no honey-
producing area in the State which is not seriously diseased. No com-
mercial producer of honey can pursue his business without an added
heavy expense in labor and equipment in controlling American foul
brood. There can be no doubt that the beekeeping industry will labor
under this severe handicap through all time in the future unless
steps are taken to control the disease in a state-wide and thorough-
going manner. Moreover, this industry can not develop without
first bringing this disease under control. Individual beekeepers are
powerless. The assistance of the State is needed.

The beekeepers are willing themselves to pay a part of this ex-
pense and have drawn up provisions for a law to be submitted to this
Legislature providing that they pay heavy license fees. It is the hope
of the beekeepers that the State will see fit to provide a fund equiv-
alent to that raised from the license fees, dollar for dollar.

THE INSECT PESTS OF 1923 AND 1924
The Clover Mite (Bryobia pratensis Garman) appeared again in
1924 in the central portion of the State around houses, causing some
annoyance to residents by entering through the windows. The species
feeds on vegetation on the premises and simply gets into the houses
in connection with its wanderings.

The Pear-Leaf Blister-Mite (Eriophyes pyri Pgst.) is now more
a pest of apple than of pear. It is prevalent in the fruit-growing
-■•lions in western Montana where it persists year after year unless
eradicated. It is one of the easiest orchard pests to control and the
Experiment Station has literature on the subject.

The Red Spider (Tetranychus populi Koch), which was exceed-
ingly abundanl in Butte and in other cities in Montana in 1923, was

TWENTIETH REPORT OE THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 23

less abundant in 1924. This is true in spite of the fact that it came
out of winter quarters in excellent condition in the spring of 1924.
It is evident that the climate of the season was not favorable to these
mites.

Earthworms (Lumbricus sp.). The common earthworm is in-
creasingly the subject of inquiry from farmers, gardeners, and green-
house men in Montana. It has been reported to us many times in
recent years that the earthworm is injurious and information is de-
sired regarding ways to destroy it. In intensive areas of cultivation,
especially those which have had applications of manure, the worms
multiply to surprising numbers and have a marked effect upon the
physical condition of the soil and in sonic cases by their numbers
interfere with the normal root activity. The subject is receiving some
attention from the Experiment Station.

Silver Fish (Lepisma saccharina Linn.). This wingless insect,
with a silvery, glistening appearance, often turns up in apartment
houses. It feeds on starchy materials and delights in warm, moist
places. Reports were received from the northern part of the State in
1924.

Millipeds (Species undetermined). Millipeds were reported as
invading a mountain cabin in such numbers as to make residence in
the cabin difficult, if not imposible. Millipeds feed on vegetable
matter and prefer damp places. Other reports of a similar nature
were received during the year of 1924.

The Winter Tick or Horse Tick (Dermacentor albipictus Packard).
This tick, which is often confused with the spotted fever tick, is
abundant in places in Montana. It makes its appearance early in the
spring ahead of the spotted fever tick and is generally reported from
horses. Tt is also abundant on mountain goats and occurs on the elk.
In the season of 1924 this tick was the occasion of several reports.

Grasshoppers and Crickets (Orthoptera)
The Lesser Migratory Locust (Melanoplus atlanis Riley). This
species is discussed more at length elsewhere in this report but it
is recorded here that the species was very abundant and destructive in
Montana both in 1923 and in 1924.

The Western Lubber Grasshopper (Brachystola magna Gir.).
This, the largest grasshopper in Montana, a wingless species, which
ordinarily is considered a rare find, appeared in a few localities in

iM MONTANA BULLETIN L70

eastern Montana in surprising numbers so that several quarts of them
were collected and preserved in alcohol. While not an economic species,
it occasions interest whenever seen by the farmer.

The Mormon Cricket {Anabrus simpler Hald.). These large
crickets which sometimes appear in great numbers, eatingy everything
in their path, were again present in both years in certain parts of
the State, where some damage was done. A recent publication of
the Colorado Experiment Station explains a method of destroying
these insects.

The Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopalmatus sp.). This large, clumsy
cricket is sent in nearly every year from the eastern portion of the
State. It lives under stones and in loose soil. Because of their large
heads and baby-like faces they are always objects of interest when
found.

The True Bugs, Plant Lice, etc., (Hemiptera)

The Vagabond Poplar Gall {Pemphigus vagabundus). The gro-
tesque galls produced by this interesting species were sent in again
and again during the year by persons whose curiosity had been aroused.
While not doing serious harm to the cottonwood trees on which they
feed, the growths they produce disfigure the trees and are objectionable.

The Elm Gall Louse (Schizoneura americana Riley). This is per-
haps the most serious enemy of the elm in Montana. A number of
cities are becoming interested in spraying their trees to destroy the
insects. It has now spread until nearly every elm tree in the State is
affected. It persists year after year.

The Woolly Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera Hausm.). The woolly
aphis, after a few years of less importance, appeared again in notice-
able numbers in the western part of Montana during 1923 and 1924.
The white masses of these insects can be seen for some distance. The
insect is objectionable because of the fact that in picking the fruit in
the fall the insects get crushed and stain fruit that otherwise would
he marketable.

The Currant Leaf Aphis (31ysus ribis Linn.). The pale, yellow-
ish-green plant lice of this species cause a distorting or a reddening
of the foliage. Affected leaves were sent in repeatedly this season and
the species was prevalenl throughout the State.

The Cabbage Aphis (Brevicorym brassicm I, inn.). This very

TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 25

common pest of cabbage was again injurious in 1923 on cabbages and
cauliflowers.

The Apple Aphis (Aphis pomi DeGeer). These plant lice were
in evidence in many orchards in the western part of the State in 1924.

The Spruce Gall Aphis (Gill ei tea cooleyii Gill.). The galls of
this species are becoming rather common in parks and cemeteries
in Montana. It is prevalent in the mountains in some parts of the
State. It is not generally recognized that this growth is caused by
an insect.

The Bedbug (Cimex lectularius Linn.). This insect continues
to be abundant throughout the State, especially in old buildings. There
is an increased interest in ridding bunk houses and other buildings
of the pest, since adequate methods have been worked out. During
1924 the Experiment Station published a circular dealing with the
control of this insect.

The False Chinch Bug (Nysius ericae Schill.). These insects,
which in size resemble the chinch bug and at times become very
abundant, were troublesome again during the season of 1924. They
frequently swarm on garden vegetation. Generally they are more abun-
dant on weeds and sometimes attack plants of value. In 1923 this
species was outstanding in abundance.

The Chinch Bug (Blissus leucopterus Say). The true chinch
bug does not occur in Montana. "We have previously reported it as
occurring here, due to an error in identification of the species, which
we are glad to correct at this time. The species which does occur here
is Blissus occiduus Barber.

The Flies (Diptera).

The Hessian Fly (Mayetiola destructor Say). This major pest of
wheat was found in the state of Montana for the first time in 1924, it
having spread across the eastern boundary. A considerable amount of
damage was done and the scouting that has been conducted has shown
that this pest is rather widely disseminated in that locality.

Crane Flies (Tipulidae). The larva of an undetermined species
of crane fly was reported as exceedingly abundant in spring-plowed
land near Moccasin in 1924.

The Currant Fruit Fly (Epoclira canadensis Loew.). The currant
fruit fly continues year after year a serious pest of currant and goose-
berrv fruits. It was more injurious in western Montana than else-

26 MONTANA BULLETIN 170

where during 1924. This insect alone is doing much to prevent the
growth of currants in Montana.

The Cherry Fruit Fly (Rhagoletis cingulata Loew.) The cherry
fruit fly was found in (he northwestern part of the State in 1923.
While it has not done great damage, so far as has been reported it
may at any time be a pest of some prominence.

The White-Winged March Fly (Bibio albipennis Say). The
larva of a March fly appeared in unusual numbers in gardens in 1924.
In previous years it has been found in great numbers in sweet pea
trenches and in garden tracts.

The Cabbage Maggot (Phorbia brassicae Bouche). This pest on
the roots of cabbages was reported during 1923 as doing some damage.

The Beetj.es (Coleoptera)

Ground Beetles (Carabidae). We received reports of an undeter-
mined species of this family of beetles injuring the ripened fruit of
the strawberry in 1924.

The American Kaspberry Beetle (Byturus unicolor Say). We re-
ceived our first information of the presence of this pest of raspberries
in the spring of this year, though the species has been present for
some years in the locality reported, namely, near the southern end
of Flathead Lake. It is a persistent and injurious species, objection-
able especially because of the danger of shipping the grubs in the
fruit when it goes to market.

Wireworms (Elateridae.) Almost every season sees some wire-
worms somewhere in Montana. The season of 1924 was notable for
the prevalence of wireworms in potatoes and garden crops in Montana.
Extensive damage was done by these insects boring through the tubers
and rendering them unfit for sale. The species concerned has not been
determined. Some trouble was also reported with wireworms in wheat
and in corn.

The Flea Beetles (Epitrix subcrinita LeC. and Psylloides punc-
tulata Melsh.). These minute, jumping beetles were again reported from
gardens generally in the Slate in 1924. having injured numerous gar-
dens as the seedling plants were just coming up.

The Three-Spotted Flea Beetle (Disonycha triangularis Say).
This large flea beetle is apparently on the increase. It was received
several times during 1923 and reported as injurious on various garden
I hints, particularly beets and spinach.

TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 27

The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle (Lina scripta Fab.). The larvae of
this beetle became abundant again in 1923, doing severe injury to
shelter-belt willows in some parts of the State. The species has wide
distribution, extending clear to the Atlantic Coast.

The Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineota Say).
This native American insect, which originally was present to the south
of us, has now advanced over most of Montana and is proceeding north-
west into British Columbia. It is single brooded in the Gallatin Valley
and throughout the State is the occasion of some damage and much
labor in spraying.

The Larder Beetle (Dermestis lardarius Linn.). This well-known
insect appeared in injurious numbers in grocery warehouses and was
the occasion of several letters of inquiry in 1923. It confines its
attack to animal matter, including food stores.

The Spotted Blister Beetle (Epicauta maculata Say). This beetle
occasioned many letters of inquiry because of its appearance in gardens,
generally in the eastern part of the State, in 1924. We have noticed
in past years that they have been especially abundant in years of
grasshopper prevalence. The young of this mildly destructive species
feed in the egg-pods of grasshoppers. They are not a real controlling
factor in grasshopper abundance and, when doing damage, steps
should be taken to eliminate them.

Nuttall's Blister Beetle (Cantharis nuttalli Say). This large
blister beetle with bright, metallic colors is found abundant and in-
jurious to the foliage of ornamental shrubs and sometimes on alfalfa
and garden crops. It appeared again in abundance during 1923 and
192L

The Confused Flour Beetle (Tribolium confusum Duv.). This
minute beetle, a pest of stored cereals, crushed foods, etc., was reported
as troublesome in a flour mill in northern Montana in 1923. It is
widely distributed in the State. Mill owners and wholesalers should
become acquainted with this pest.

The Granary Weevil (Calandra granaria Linn.). Several eleva-
tors reported this insect present in sufficient numbers to cause alarm
in both years.

The Clover Head Weevil (Phytonomus nigrirostris). For several
years this insect has persisted in regions in the western part of the
State and has done some damage. It again attracted general attention

28 MONTANA BULLETIN 170

in 1923. Its appearance is so similar to that of the alfalfa weevil that
wherever it appears it causes some alarm. It is a smaller species,
however, and prefers clover to alfalfa.

The Strawberry Crown Girdler (Otiorhynehus ovatus Linn.).
This world-wide species has for many years heen more or less preva-
lent in Montana, especially in the western portion. This insect again
turned up in 1924 and caused a considerable amount of alarm among
strawberry growers.

The Rose Bud Curculio (Rhynchites bicolor Fab.). Growers of
roses wrote to us in a number of instances in 1923 and in 1924 com-
plaining that the rose buds were damaged by this red and black beetle.
This is a native species, always present on wild roses, and often migrat-
ing to cultivated varieties.

The Plum Gouger (Coccotorus scutellaris LeC). This enemy of
plums in Montana east of the Rocky Mountain divide is a native species.
It is always present, but in some years is more abundant. A consider-
able number of letters were received inquiring for remedies. This
species is not to be confused with the plum curculio. from which it
differs in color and shape, as well as in the fact that the larvae of the
curculio never enter the pit, as they do in the case of the gouger.

The Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisorum Linn.). This insect has be-
come of considerable interest in recent years, due to increased interest
in pea culture for seed and canning purposes. It is fortunate that it
is a less serious pest in northern latitudes.

The Common Bean Weevil (Bruchus obtectus Say.). We received
a few complaints of the bean weevil in 1924. In view of the prominence
of the bean-growing industry in recent years, it should receive the
attention of growers.

The Moths and Butterflies (Lepidopteba)
The Achemon Sphinx (Pholus acliemon Dru.). The caterpillar
of this large Sphinx moth was sent in repeatedly from the Yellowstone
Valley with the report that it was feeding on the Virginia creeper,
indicating that the species was abundant during 1924.

The Poplar Sphinx (Pachysphinx modesta Harris). The large,
fleshy caterpillars of this species were abundant on cottonwoods east
of the mountain divide during the season of 1924.

The Cecropia Moth (Samia cecropia Linn.). This Large showy moth
always attracts attention. It was senl in several times during 1923

TWENTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 29

with inquiries regarding its habits. The caterpillars grow to a large
size and require a good deal of food. Their presence on currant bushes
sometimes alarms the gardener.

The Mediterranean Flour Moth (Ephestia kuehniella Zell). This
is probably the leading granary and flour mill pest of the Northwest.
It sometimes gets into stored cereal products in grocery stores and
warehouses. The caterpillars feed on all kinds of granary products
and their webs running through the cereal clot it together. We have
known it to do serious damage to bolting cloth in flour mills. It was
reported repeatedly during 1924.

The Sugar Beet Webwrorai (Lo.costege sticticalis Linn.). In recent
years this species has been present in injurious numbers in some part
of the State practically every year, though formerly it was little
known excepting occasionally in sugar beet fields. Primarily a pest
of sugar beets, this insect is also the cause of much injury to gardens
and alfalfa. It feeds on many weeds and sometimes destroys the
Russian thistle over large areas.

The Army Cutworm (Chorizagrotis auxiliaris Grt.). This im-
portant pest of cereals in Montana appeared in one locality, namely
Judith Basin, in 1924. In earlier years this species has produced wide-
si 'read devastation in Montana.

The Strawberry Leaf-roller (Ancylis comptana Frohl.). Growers
v\' strawberries complained repeatedly of the ravages of this insect
in 1924; and the fact that the ever-bearing strawrberry is now so pop-
ular makes it more difficult than formerlv to control the insect, for in
former years the remedy Avas to mow the patch after the crop had
been removed and burn over the field, thereby destroying the insect.
This can not be done if a second crop is to be removed and wre are re-
duced to spraying with arsenicals in advance of the removal of the
first crop. This species also attacks blackberries and raspberries.

The Fruit-Tree Leaf -Roller (Archips argyrospila Walker). This
prime pest of the apple tree which has been so prominent in recent
years in the Bitter Root Valley still continues its attacks, though in
somewhat reduced numbers in 1924.

Bees. Ants and Wasps (Hymenoptera)
The Wheat Stem Sawfly (Cephus cinctus Nort.). This pest of
wheat, discovered in recent years in the extreme northeastern corner
of Montana and later in the northern part of Stillwater County, was

30 MONTANA BULLETIN 17"

in 1924 reported by County Agent Ferguson from Pondera County.

No systematic survey has been made to determine whether the species
occurs in the intervening territory.

The Leaf Cutter Bees (Megachilidae). These bees cut ou1 cir-
cular and oblong patches from the leaves of rose, ash, lilac and other
ornamentals and use them in the construction of their nests. It fre-
quently happens that the individual rose bushes and ash trees are
badly riddled, scarcely a leaf escaping attack. We have not had
opportunity to experiment with this insect but believe that spraying
with arsenicals would probably put an end to the difficulty. These
insects again appeared in 1923.

The Lawn Ants (Myrmica brevinodis Emery). Residents in towns
throughout most of the State are tormented year after year by ants
in lawns which produce extensive workings and often tenter food
stores in houses. Many inquiries were received during the year and
the new remedy of finely powdered sodium fluoride, scattered over
The nests during hot, dry weather, was repeatedly recommended.

The Leaf-Folding Sawfly (Pontania bozemani Cooley). Cotton-
wood trees throughout the State are subject to the attack of this insect
which folds over the cd^ of the leaf, producing the retreat for the
caterpillar which grows to maturity inside. This insect was preva-
lent again in 1924.

The Yellow .Jackets ( Vespa sp.). In western Montana, particularly
around Flathead Lake, for several years we have received complaints
that hornets attack ripe, juicy fruits and do extensive damage. The
complaint is that they attack plums, raspberries, and strawberries.
These insects feed their young on honey or sweet liquids and doubtless
regard the fruit juices as a substitute for honey. They also capture in-
sects for their young and carry to them the flesh of dead fish or
other animals. In 1923 and 1924 these insects were particularly
troublesome..