353.9 ' '
:3R
L945 NO. 30
■>J 425
JANUARY. 1945
Montana Insect Pests, 1943 and 1944
Thirtieth Report of the State Entomologist
By
H. B. Mills, J. A. Callenbach, J. F. Reinhardt
MONTANA STATE COLLEGE
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIOUL I 6 1 2007
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
, MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE.
HELENA, MONTANA 59620
Bozeman, Montana
December 1, 1944
To His Excellency
Governor Sam C. Ford
Helena, Montana
My Dear Sir:
I am submitting herewith the Thirtieth Report of the State Entomolo-
gist of Montana.
The work of this office has progressed on a fairly satisfactory basis
during the past biennium. The demands on the office for assistance have
grown and the personnel has shifted due to the present world-wide condi-
tions. During this period Mr. O. B. Hitchcock, Assistant State Entomologist,
entered the armed forces, and from the spring of 1942 to March, 1944, it was
necessary for the State Entomologist to do considerable field work in addi-
tion to his regular duties. In March, 1944, we were fortunate in obtaining
the services of Dr. J. A. Callenbach who has done an excellent piece of work
in handling most of the field details during the past control season. Mr. J.
F. Reinhardt, who has been the State Apiarist since 1941, has resigned
effective December 31 to accept a position in apicultural research in Georgia,
and this leaves the position to be filled if these services are to be made
available to the beekeepers of the State. Such changes are to be expected
in these trying times with the present demand for trained personnel, and
will make the administration of the work of this department difficult for
some time to come.
There has been a definite change in emphasis in grasshopper control
during the past two years, in the shift of maximum utilization of bait from
the early growing season to the fall in the winter wheat areas. In this con-
nection this office has been cooperating with the United States Bureau of
Entomology and Plant Quarantine in working out methods for large-scale
marginal baiting programs which, in the fall, have proved successful in the
protection of fall-planted crops and reductions in the number of eggs laid.
It is felt that there will be a considerable increase in this type of control in
the future if it continues to prove as successful as the programs in Yellow-
stone and Sanders counties appear to have been in the past two years.
Respectfully submitted
HARLOW B. MILLS
State Entomologist
, ,^f.^.na Sta,e Library
3JNUII
3 0864 1004 0524 3
MONTANA INSECT PESTS, 1943 AND 1944
Thirtieth Report of the State Entomologist
H. B. Mills, J. A. Callenbach, J. F. Reinhardt1
INTRODUCTION
The control of insects harmful to human interests in Montana
has been recognized as essential almost from the inception of the
development of agriculture in the State. At the turn of the century
this interest in insect control was implemented by establishment
of the position of entomologist in the Montana Agricultural Exper-
iment Station, and since that time his duties and responsibilities
have been increasing. This increase is the natural result of increas-
ed emphasis on agriculture through the years, and to the introduc-
tion of some injurious species or the transfer of interest on the
part of some native insects from their natural food to cultivated
crops.
The control of some insects has been developed and organized
within the past decade in an excellent manner through cooperation
between this office and other agencies, primarily the Division of
Grasshopper Control of the Bureau of Entomology and Plant
Quarantine. Through this cooperation the State has received much
assistance in important control problems, and some control meth-
ods have had their inception and trial in this area.
All of this has increased the work done in insect research and
control and the emphasis on lines of attack. The service of the De-
partment to the people of the State has increased but is far from
reaching a satisfactory state, even after 44 years, largely due to
the needs for trained personnel.
Much is yet to be found out concerning the habits of injurious
and beneficial insects in the State, and basic, well-grounded con-
trol measures often await the uncovering of new facts concerning
the insect pests involved. This is somewhat complicated, also, by
the inaccuracies which are involved in trying to apply facts dis-
covered concerning one species to other species, or even to the same
species at different times or in different areas.
Good control measures are available for some insects, and they
work satisfactorily much of the time. For others the control mea-
JState Entomologist, Assistant State Entomologist, and State Apriarist, respectively.
4 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
sures are poor or nonexistent. Only continuing and expanding re-
search can solve the difficult problems.
The crying entomological need, not only in Montana, but
throughout the Great Plains Area, is for adequate methods of pre-
dicting outbreaks of insects. Montana comes under the influence of
a continental type of climate characterized by what are sometimes
tremendous fluctuations in at least the more obvious climatic fac-
tors. This is paralleled by and possibly causes great fluctuations in
populations of harmful insects. If, for example, we take the most
commonly injurious insects to the wheat plant, such insects as
grasshoppers, pale western cutworms, army cutworms, wheat stem
sawflies, Say's stink bugs, etc., we find that they are characteris-
tically cyclic in their appearance, and the areas infested may vary
from year to year or over a period of years. Further, as is pointed
out in the discussion of the potato psyllid later in this report, some
insects may be sufficiently abundant in one area from year to
year to warrant control recommendations every year. The same
insect in another area may be present in injurious numbers only
rarely, at times which are now unpredictable, making these con-
tinuing control recommendations undesirable. It should be the re-
sponsibility of the entomologist not only to give information as to
when to control insects, but equally as much to inform those affect-
ed when not to apply control measures. A start in this direction has
been made with grasshoppers and pale western cutworms, but pre-
diction methods are not available for the great majority of the
harmful species. This line of investigation would seem to be one
of the very productive lines for future research. To function best,
it should not be limited in scope to any artificial boundary such as
a state or district line. If the whole region is affected by attacks of
insects with these cyclic characteristics, the best and most compre-
hensive work can be done only when the whole region is the labor-
atory for study and an adequate personnel is developed to study
this one problem, the problem of cyclic occurrence of insects.
In the following pages are given details on the cooperative
control work, with the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quaran-
tine, in the control of grasshoppers, the status of other economic
insects in the State, notes on new pests, and the report of the bee
inspection work for the past biennium for Montana.
MAJOR INSECT CONTROL PROBLEMS
GRASSHOPPER CONTROL, 1943-44
The influence of the heavy migration of the lesser migratory
locust (Melanoplus mexicanus) which occurred in July, 1938, had
run its course by 1943. Scattered areas of threatening and severe
populations existed in the State, but there was apparently little
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 5
correlation between these areas of infestation and the migratory
phases of M. mexicanus. This is indicated by the fact that in the
Triangle area where the migration was halted by the mountains,
the predominant species in many fields was Melanoplus bivittatus
rather than M. mexicanus. As reported in the Twenty-ninth Re-
port of the State Entomologist2 there was a marked decrease in
grasshopper populations from 1939 to 1942. This condition carried
over into 1943 with general grasshopper populations the lowest in
many years. Even with these conditions, however, enough 'hoppers
remained in many parts of the State to present a serious threat to
the greatly increased food-production goals.
The area influenced by the great migration of 1938 was limit-
ed on its western border by the Rocky Mountains and the above
remarks apply only to counties lying east of the Continental
Divide. In the intermountain counties lying west of the Divide a
trend almost exactly opposite to that recorded above began to de-
velop. Scattered noneconomic infestations began to increase in
numbers and by 1942 Sanders, Lake and Missoula counties report-
ed threatening 'hopper populations. Other counties probably ex-
perienced similar increases but, with the exception of Flathead
County, none of the other counties maintained County Agents,
and grasshopper adult or egg surveys were not conducted in these
counties.
1943 Season
Grasshopper egg surveys in the fall of 1942 indicated that in
1943, outbreaks were likely to occur in the Yellowstone River
drainage, the western portion of the Triangle area, and in Lake
and Sanders counties. Greatest egg concentrations were found in
the Upper Yellowstone River Valley and its tributary, the Big
Horn River. (Figure 1.)
Eggs were first reported hatching in the area around Billings
on April 23. Subsequent cold weather during which temperatures
of 24°F. on May 9 and 32°F. on June 3 were recorded retarded fur-
ther hatching. Because of the delayed hatch the cold weather had
little effect as a control factor. Hatching increased after June 6,
but the continued cold prolonged the hatching period until the
latter part of July. First adults were reported July 1. As a conse-
quence of the irregular development all stages in development
were to be found in the same area at the same time. In some in-
stances new adults were laying eggs before all eggs of the pre-
vious season had hatched.
Egg predation was of considerable importance in reducing
'hopper populations. In some areas blister beetles destroyed as
"Mont Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 408, pp. 4-10.
6 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
high as 75 percent of the eggs and in other areas ground beetles
took an equal toll. It was estimated that an average of 25 percent
of the eggs were destroyed by these predators.
Yellowstone and Big Horn counties experienced the most se-
vere infestations. On the whole, however, infestations failed to
develop as expected, probably, in part because of the climatic con-
ditions and predation of eggs previously mentioned. Another im-
portant controlling factor that may be easily overlooked was early
tillage preparations for summer fallowing. Because of the delayed
hatch practically all stubble had been worked and the threat of
infestation from this favored M. mexicanus habitat was greatly
reduced.
^ZD LIGHT ES3 THREATENING
Hi SEVERE
Figure 1. Grasshopper egg beds, 1943.
The baiting control program was only partially successful. The
irregular development of 'hoppers and unfavorable weather made
baiting difficult. Heavy weed and crop growth partially minimized
the damage and partially concealed actual crop damage. Finally
labor shortage caused farmers to concentrate their efforts upon
harvest and other farming operations rather than upon control of
grasshoppers.
Slightly over IV2 million dollars was the estimated crop loss
in 1943, while savings of approximately one million dollars re-
sult from control operations. Two thousand one hundred forty-
nine farmers and victory gardeners spread 1,041 tons of bait upon
208,220 acres of land.
Melanoplus mexicanus was the dominant species with M. bi-
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
TABLE 1.— CROP LOSSES FROM GRASSHOPPERS AND SAVINGS FROM
CONTROL WORK IN DOLLARS
1943
1944
County
Losses
Savings
Losses
Savings
Big Horn
367,000
244,800
292,000
141,500
Blaine
14,500
24,300
8,800
4,200
Carbon
12,500
7,200
11,050
4,280
Cascade
19,600
15,750
10,000
150,000
Chouteau
44,000
37,000
21,500
104,000
Custer-Powder River
8,500
6,000
79,000
4,300
Daniels
20,000
■ —
20,000
—
Dawson
6,500
17,000
58,000
41,000
Fallon-Carter
80,000
21,000
72,299
3,720
Fergus
13,550
7,100
6,500
2,600
Flathead
—
—
8,025
23,500
Gallatin
500
1,000
2,500
5,000
Glacier
110,000
6,800
800
5,000
Granite
—
—
200
2,000
Hill
29,650
27,975
27,500
160,000
Lake
—
—
90,510
75,500
Lincoln
—
—
5,232
5,450
McCone
37,000
5,000
—
—
Mineral
—
— ■
4,630
5,950
Missoula
— ■
—
13,750
4,550
Musselshell-Golden Valley
20,000
156,500
53,000
75,000
Pondera
48.500
110,000
3.900
26,240
Powell
1,200
190
200
800
Prairie
59,000
5,550
49.000
10,250
Ravalli
—
—
4,050
3,775
Richland
8,580
905
11,300
5,850
Roosevelt
123,600
4,500
80,600
4,500
Rosebud
35,800
10,100
74,000
14,500
Sanders
143,000
10,500
65,000
58,500
Stillwater
3,400
38,000
12,500
2.060
Sweet Grass
800
350
—
- —
Teton
50,000
32,500
35,000
36,050
Toole
—
—
2,000
3,000
Valley
9,450
7,390
10,900
1,900
Wibaux
—
—
85,100
—
Yellowstone
188,494
273,765
40,000
72,511
Totals
1,635,124
1,071,075
1,238,846
1,057,486
vittatus ranking next in importance. M. packardi, M. differ entialis
and M. femur-rubrum occurred in important numbers in various
localities.
A significant part of the grasshopper situation in 1943 was the
late season damage to fall-planted wheat. This type of damage
has increased as the acreage of fall-planted grain, in areas where
strip cropping is practiced, has increased. Considerable concern
is being shown by farmers toward this type of damage and in
some counties the principal control program has been directed
toward protecting winter grain.
8 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
Federally Financed Control In 1943
The fall of 1943 witnessed a co-operative attempt by county,
State and Federal representatives to reduce an incipient grass-
hopper outbreak by a concerted program of fall bait applications
to reduce egg laying. Yellowstone County was selected for the
effort. It was estimated September first that 50-75 percent of
the grasshoppers in the County were located in the weedy en-
vironment found in field margins, roadsides, railroad rights-of-way
and along irrigation and drainage canals. This concentration in the
margins was due to the extended drouth during the summer,
which matured crops early and left weedy margins the main
source of green forage, and the natural tendency of M. bivittatus
to lay its eggs in these habitats. If these concentrated popula-
tions could be destroyed before many eggs were laid, the infesta-
tion the following season would be greatly reduced. Upon this
basis an extensive marginal baiting program was organized. The
Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine and Yellowstone
County pooled mixing and spreading equipment, including a new
type blower spreader, an airplane, and various traction and power-
operated spreaders. Countv, State and Federal agencies provided
supervisory personnel and labor. The Northern Pacific, Great
Northern, and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroads sup-
plied equipment and personnel for baiting their rights-of-way
and cooperated whole-heartedly in ronducting the program. The
Wyoming State Entomologist, Mr. Tom Snipes, also cooperated
and participated in the work. Prompt and efficient organiza-
tion and conduct of the camoaign resulted in the baiting of 3,265
miles of roadside margins, 271 miles of railroad rights-of-way and
412 miles of irrigation and drainage canal margins.
Success of the campaign was demonstrated by the kills ob-
tained, the reduction in eggs laid, and the reduced population in
the baited area in the spring of 1944.
1944 Season
The 1943 egg survey indicated light to threatening populations
in parts of the Yellowstone River drainage, the Triangle area and
Lake and Sanders counties. Reports received indicated that threat-
ening infestations also existed in the other western counties. (Fig-
ure 2) . In the spring of 1944 surveys and contacts with county
officials indicated growing alarm in these counties and special
efforts were made to organize these counties for effective control
campaigns.
The 1944 season began with drouth conditions existing over
the entire State, and severe drouth in Toole, Glacier, and counties
west of the Divide. This condition still existed when the first 'hop-
pers hatched during the week of May 7. With drouth continuing
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 9
the hatch progressed rapidly and damage to grain in the vicinity
of St. Xavier was observed May 16. By May 20, however, with the
exception of the western counties and the northern parts of Toole
and Glacier counties, the drouth was broken. In central and
eastern Montana rain and cool weather continued throughout June
with many counties reporting the wettest June on record. Condi-
tions continued dry in Toole, Glacier, and western counties. The
heavy rainfall caused considerable nymphal mortality in some
counties while in others it apparently had little affect.
First adults were reported from Chouteau County the week of
June 18. The cool, wet weather of June produced a situation very
similar to 1943 with many late hatches reported and grasshoppers
in all stages of development being found in the same area.
Y.'/.'A LIGHT Y///A THREATENING
5222 BASED UPON REPORTS a SPRING SURVEYS
Figure 2. Grasshopper egg beds, 1944.
The most severe infestations developed in Big Horn County,
the Triangle area, and the western counties. Predicted severe in-
festations failed to materialize in McCone County, while in Hill
County infestations greater than expected developed. Unseason-
able rains and predation could account for the McCone County si-
tuation and drouth conditions in the fall of 1943 may have influ-
enced egg depositions to such an extent in Hill County that major
egg beds were missed during the survey.
The dominant species over the State was M. mexicanus. In the
Triangle area M. bivittatus was a dominant species and ranked
second over the State. In eastern Montana M. differentialis, a spe-
10
MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
TABLE 2.-
—SUMMARY
OF BAIT
USAGE
1943
1944
County
Tons bait
No. using
Acres
Tons bait
No. using
Acres
dry wt.
bait
baited
dry wt.
bait
baited
Big Horn
123
105
24,600
177.9
109
35,580
Blaine
5.1
15
1,020
2.1
9
420
Carbon
7.5
24
1,500,
5
6
1,000
Cascade
27
65
5,400
101.9
60
20,380
Chouteau
128.3
85
25,660
149.3
115
29,860
Custer-
Powder River
42.9
394
8,580
51.2
211
10,240
Dawson
39.3
65
7,860
74.8
178
14,960
Fallon-Carter
1.3
27
260
2.3
2
460
Fergus
20
40
4,000
4.6
10
920
Flathead
—
—
—
15.4
78
3,080
Gallatin
.5
1
100
3.9
2
780
Glacier
1.0
6
200
.7
1
140
Granite
—
—
—
.9
17
180
Hill
14.0
119
2,800
189.
93
37,800
Lake
—
—
—
31
161
6,200
Lincoln
—
—
—
13.1
100
2,620
McCone
8.2
3
1,640
—
—
—
Mineral
—
—
—
19.5
100
3,900
Missoula
—
—
—
10.3
300
2,060
Musselshell-
Golden Valley
20.7
142
4,140
19.3
190
3,960
Pondera
25.5
27
5,100
67.5
37
13,500
Powell
.3
2
60
.3
2
60
Prairie
2.3
34
460
11.2
67
2,240
Ravalli
—
—
■ —
5.
221
1,000
Richland
4.6
16
920
19.8
72
3,960
Roosevelt
9
12
1,800
8.
3
1,600
Rosebud
20.
19
4,000
4.
24
800
Sheridan
14.1
52
2,820
141.4
97
28,280
Stillwater
11.5
72
2,300
4.6
5
920
Sweet Grass
1.0
4
200
■ —
■ —
• —
Teton
21.7
44
4,340
28.
68
5,600
Toole
—
—
—
1.6
3
320
Valley
1.9
10
380
1.6
3
320
Yellowstone
485.5
881
97,100
51.8
22
11,360
Totals
1,036.2
2,264
207,240
1,217.0
2,366
244,500
cies which first appeared in Montana (Dawson County) in 1932,
has steadily increased in importance and in 1944 was a dominant
species in parts of eleven counties. Its greatest population increas-
es have been in the valley of the Yellowstone River where its
range extends as far west as Forsyth. In western Montana M.
mexicanus was dominant with Camnula and M. femur-rubrum
and M. bivittatus of secondary importance.
The 1944 control program during the spring and early summer
was decidedly unsuccessful. Very discouraging results were ob-
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 11
tained with baits. Where grain and grass were baited some
reasonably good kills were obtained but the results were erratic.
Where alfalfa was baited or heavy weed growth was common,
baits frequently failed completely. Many farmers were discourag-
ed by the results and sfopped baiting, and in some areas baiting
was almost discontinued as a control program.
Efforts to explain these failures have not met with much suc-
cess. With the change from sodium arsenite to sodium fluosilicate
came an increasing number of reported bait failures and there
has been a strong tendency to place the blame on the sodium
fluosilicate bait. Th;s is apparently not correct since as often as
not when comparisons of the two baits were made the fluosilicate
gave equal or better control than the arsenite. A more plausible
explanation seems to be the different feeding habits of the grass-
hoppers during periods of low populations and abundant crops as
compared with periods of high popuations and limited crop de-
velopment. Furthermore, the war demand for maximum produc-
tion has made farmers more conscious of crop losses from insects
and other pests, and crop damage considered negligible in pre-war
days is now of seme concern. Only continued research and study
will ultimately give the right answer.
During the late summer and fall, baiting gave uniformly ex-
cellent results under practically all cropping conditions. In the
Camas Prairie section of Sanders County, where spring baiting,
of as many as six or eight applications in a single field gave no
appreciable decrease, a single baiting in late August and early
September resulted in reducing a threatening population to one of
noneconomic importance. The same bait was used throughout
the season. Again it seems that some element, as yet unknown, in
the habits and development of the 'hoppers must be responsible
for this change.
Fall baiting for the protection of winter wheat has become an
important part of the grasshopper control program in the strip
farm sections of Montana. This is demonstrated by the bait usage
in Cascade County where approximately 190 tons of bait were
used and County Agent Fosse reported "practically all of the bait-
ing this year was done from September 9 up to October 30, 1944,
to protect fall seedings of winter wheat ..." Likewise in Chou-
teau County 80 percent and in Hill County 37 percent of the bait
used during the 1944 season was distributed after September 1.
It seems entirely possible that fall baiting will become a ma-
jor part of the baiting program in Montana if continued better
kills are obtained in the late season, and fall baiting programs,
such as those conducted in Yellowstone County in 1943 and San-
ders County in 1944, prove effective in reducing egg laying.
Losses due to grasshoppers approximated $1-238,846 in 1944.
12 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
Savings due to control operations were $1,057,486, with farmers
and gardeners spreading 1,217 tons of bait on 244,500 acres.
Federally Financed Control in 1944
It was planned that a repeat baiting job would be done in
Yellowstone County in the spring of 1944 to further reduce the
threatening population there. It was also planned to extend the
area to include parts of Big Horn. Stillwater, and Carbon counties.
However, the fall baiting of 1943 and other factors combined to
so reduce the population that further baiting was unnecessary in
Yellowstone County. Infestations in the other counties were spot-
ty, and heavy rains, which filled ditches, precluded the possibility
of effective baiting. Consequently an area-wide campaign was
abandoned in this area.
TABLE 3.— SUMMARY OF GRASSHOPPER CONTROL PROGRAM
1943 1944
Number of counties actively engaged
Number of mixing stations
Persons using bait (includes Victory Gardeners)
Dry bait used (tons)
Acres baited
Estimated losses
Estimated savings
27
32
28
33
2,264
2,366
1,036.1
1,217
207,240
244,500
1,635,124
1,238,846
1,071,075
1,057,486
An extensive roadside campaign was also organized for a sec-
tion of the Triangle area comprising the eastern parts of Pondera
and Teton counties and the western part of Chouteau County. Egg
surveys in this area showed a large percentage of the eggs de-
posited in field margins and roadsides and it seemed an ideal spot
to carry on such a program. Again weather interfered to delay
the program and when it finally got under way weed growth was
extensive. Negligible kills were obtained from bait usage and the
campaign was discontinued. This was one of the most discouraging
failures of bait to control 'hoppers.
As the season progressed bait efficiency increased and it was
decided to attempt a fall baiting program in the Camas Prairie,
Hot Springs, Lonepine, and Plains communities of Sanders Coun-
ty. The population in Sanders County was predominately M. mex-
icanus and differed somewhat in that respect from the Yellow-
stone County population where M. bivittatus was an important
species. Adult surveys showed threatening to severe populations
with concentrations in areas where green foliage was present, pri-
marily alfalfa.
In the Camas Prairie community practically the entire area
was baited. Excellent cooperation was obtained from farmers,
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
13
county officials, and the Indian Service and Forest Service. In
other communities, roadsides and some idle land were baited by
paid Bureau crews but farmer participation was not so extensive.
The results of this program will not be completely understood
until the spring of 1945 but an extensive egg survey seems to in-
dicate that the threatening population in Camas Prairie has been
reduced to noneconomic status. Where farmer participation was
not extensive the program was only partially successful and
threatening populations still exist in the Hot Springs and Lone-
pine communities. Because of the small area involved and the
different cropping system used in the Plains community little can
be concluded as to results of the campaign in this community.
While much more needs to be done in all parts of the State
and with different grasshopper population complexes, there seems
to be some support for fall baiting campaigns to reduce incipient
grasshopper outbreaks. Where marginal concentrations exist, bait-
ing of all field margins, roadsides, railroad rights-of-way, etc. may
be sufficient. Where concentrations are in fields and areas not
accessible to machinery travelling public thoroughfares, extensive
baiting of fields, idle land, range, etc. must be carried on.
GRASSHOPPER OUTLOOK FOR 1945
The grasshopper outlook for 1945, based upon 1944 adult and
egg surveys, is that the area of infestation will approximate that
of 1944 but will increase in intensity. (Figure 3). Eastern
Montana along the North Dakota line and extending in a strip
W7A LIGHT E3£3 THREATENING
■■ SEVERE
Figure 3. Grasshopper egg beds, 1945.
14 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
up the Yellowstone River to Miles City is threatened with severe
populations. This comprises the area where M. difjerentialis is in-
creasing in abundance. Extending out from this is an area of
threatening populations which includes most of the drainage of
the lower Yellowstone River. Northeastern counties as far west
as Phillips County will be in an area of threatening populations.
The Triangle area, including Hill, Chouteau, northern Cascade,
eastern Teton, and Pondera and southern Toole and Liberty coun-
ties, comprises another area where populations are increasing.
Threatening areas also exist in parts of Powder River, Rosebud,
Big Horn, Yellowstone, Golden Valley, and counties west of the
Continental Divide. It seems probable that all counties with or-
ganized campaigns will be confronted with more extensive com-
paigns in 1945. If drouth conditions should prevail in the wheat-
growing sections, extensive damage can be expected unless well
organized control campaigns are promptly and extensively carried
out.
MORMON CRICKET CONTROL, 1943-44
Mormon crickets are not, at the present time, an economic
problem in Montana. The last control program was conducted in
1942.
In 1943 a moderate infestation was present in Big Horn Coun-
ty east of Pryor on the bench between Hay Creek and Deep
Creek, involving an area of about 2500 acres. Another light infes-
tation was present southeast of Lodge Grass at the head of Owl
and Little Owl creeks. Another moderate infestation was present
in Beaverhead County along the Idaho-Montana line, extending
from the head of Poison Creek to the head of Shineberger Creek,
and comprising an area of about 3600 acres. In neither of these
areas was the infestation sufficient in numbers to warrant control.
Crickets were also reported as present, but in very small numbers,
in northeastern Montana, the Highwood Mountains, and other
scattered localities throughout the State.
In 1944, the infestation in the Pryor Mountain area had in-
creased in numbers and in the size of the area infested. No con-
centrations were reported,however, which would warrant control
operations. No investigation of the Beaverhead was made in 1944
but no reports indicating an increase in this area were received.
More frequent reports and observations of the presence of
crickets in small numbers were made in many parts of the State
in 1944. Upon the basis of these reports it would appear that cric-
ket populations were on the increase but do. not as yet present an
economic problem.
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
15
WHEAT STEM SAWFLY (Cephus Cinctus Norton)
This little wasp, which has been developing slowly in num-
bers for the past decade, appeared in large numbers and over
a considerable area during the 1943 season, and increased its area
of infestation in 1944. To recapitulate briefly its history, it was
first discovered in wild grasses and transferred its interest to
small grains when these were planted in large acreages in the
northern part of the Great Plains Area. Apparently the first in-
jury to wheat was noted by James Fletcher in 1896 from specimens
sent in to him from Souris, Manitoba. First definite injury to this
crop in the United States was noted in 1909 in northern North
Dakota. This injury became intense about 1916 and continued for
some years after which the infestation receded. Montana is now
suffering its first recorded major outbreak of this insect in small
^.W:] KNOWN INFESTATIONS 19*3
Y///A ADDITIONAL INFESTATIONS I94H
Figure 4. Distribution of wheat stem sawfly.
grains. In 1943 the infestation was most injurious in two separate
areas in the State. To the west it was abundant in grains in east-
ern Glacier, western Toole, central Pondera, and northern Teton
counties. To the east it occurred in parts of Blaine, Valley, Phil-
lips, Daniels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, and Richland counties. During
the 1944 season the western infestation did not show any striking
increase in area — in some areas there was an apparent but slight
reducfi°n in mtensitv. The eastern area, however, developed a
16 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
heavier population, and injury was noted in the additional coun-
ties of Dawson, Wibaux and Fallon. (Figure 4) .
The biology and control of this insect has been detailed else-
where" and will not be repeated here. This was without doubt the
insect most injurious to wheat in the State in 1944, overshadowing
the injury sustained from grasshopper attacks. Spring wheat was
most highly infested, some infestations approaching 100 percent.
Observations made during July of 1944 in heavily infested areas
indicated that barley was consistently infested, in the common
varieties grown in the State, to the extent of about 10 percent,
even in areas where adjacent spring wheat carried from six to
seven times this infestation. The percent survival in barley, how-
ever, has not been ascertained. It would seem that, even though
barley may not be an immune crop, it suffers much less injury
than wheat as far as common varieties in Montana are concerned.
Several specimens of flax infested with the wheat stem saw-
fly have been examined. Where these insects are abundant, this
attack seems not uncommon. It has been previously noted in in-
fested Canadian areas and has been discussed by Farstad' who
has made some detailed observations on its behavior in this crop.
As a result of these studies, in which he found that the larvae did
not survive in flax, Farstad states:
"As a potential pest of flax, Cephus cinctus Nort. appears to
be of little importance. A relatively insignificant number of
branches may be severed, and in combination with grasshopper
feeding some breakage may occur. The value of flax as a crop for
ridding a field of its sawfly infestation probably far outweighs the
small economic loss that can be directly or indirectly attributed to
this insect".
A possible addition to the complications involved in the con-
trol of the wheat stem sawfly presented itself during the summer
of 1944. It has previously been considered that this insect had one
generation annually. On July 18th, an untouched stubble field in-
fested in 1943 (south of Ethridge in Toole County) was examined
by P. D. McElliott and R. G. Newell. At this time, when the over-
wintering larvae should have pupated and emerged, approximate-
ly 50 percent of the infested stubs contained full grown, living and
active larvae. Normal pupation and emergence had apparently
taken place in the remainder of the infested stubble. On the basis
of this observation, there may be a possibility that under certain
conditions a population may go through two seasons before emerg-
ing as adults. There is insufficient information on this point at the
present time to draw any conclusions, but the possibility cannot
be overlooked.
3War circular 6, Mont. Agr. Exp. Sta. January, 1944.
♦Wheat stem sawfly in flax. Scientific Agriculture, 24:8, pp. 383-386, April. 1944.
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 17
OTHER IMPORTANT INSECT PESTS, 1943-44
POTATO INSECTS
POTATO PSYLLID (Paratrioza cockerelli Sulc) . — To sum-
marize the infestations of this pest of potatoes and tomatoes
for the seven years that observations have been made, the
first recognized outbreak of these insects in Montana occurred
in 1938, when it was estimated that the potato crop for the State
was reduced by 25 percent, due to its activities. Populations fluc-
tuated below the 1938 level with a trend downward until 1943,
when no specimens were collected. The survey of that year (made
from July 1 to 6 inclusive) embodied 3350 sweeps in potatoes on
28 properties in Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Rose-
bud, Custer, Prairie, Dawson, Richland, Valley, Phillips, Blaine,
Hill, Chouteau, and Cascade counties. No psyllids were found, nor
was there any report later of purple top in potatoes. In 1944 the
survey was made from June 24 to 29, and much the same area was
covered. Conclusions were drawn from 3200 sweeps in potato fields
in Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Rosebud, Custer,
Dawson, Richland, Phillips, Hill, Chouteau, and Cascade counties,
and represented samplings from 23 premises. The survey indicated
the presence and possible resulting damage in the Yellowstone
Valley from Yellowstone to Custer counties. Only slight infesta-
tions were present at the time the survey was made in the eastern
part of the Triangle area in north-central Montana.
Some symptoms of the psyllid-caused disease were noted near
Hardin on June 24 in Bliss Triumph plantings, and others were
reported to this office as the season progressed.
The long-time viewpoint on psyllid control involves discovery
of methods of predicting outbreaks in sufficient time to plan and
prepare for control measures. To the south of Montana psyllids
are present in damaging numbers sufficiently often that there
is justification in recommending the application of control meas-
ures every year. In Montana the experience of the last seven
years indicates that the opposite is true. Infestations are so spor-
adic that it is not economical to recommend annual control, for
the cost of this control over a period of years when it might be
unnecessary could be greater than the occasional loss sustained.
This makes it obvious that the immediate needs for information
concerning the potato and tomato psyllid are for methods of
prediction.
The annual survey for this insect serves two purposes. First,
it records the fluctuations in psyllid populations. This information
is then available for later study and correlation with factors which
18 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
may shed light on the causes of the fluctuations, and it will prob-
ably be necessary to discover these causes in order to make pre-
dictions. Second, it makes possible prompt warning of the location
of threatening populations. An attempt is made to make the sur-
vey sufficiently early each year to enable farmers to use control
measures where needed.
FLEA BEETLES (Epitrix spp.) .—Interest has arisen in these
pests due to the recent separation of a new species from this com-
plex group by L. G. Gentner of the Oregon Agricultural Experi-
ment Station. This species, E. tuberis Gentner, is a much more
injurious form than others in the west because of the habit of
the larvae of boring into potato tubers. A large series of these
insects were submitted to Mr. Gentner, who stated that the great
majority of them were the common E. subcrinita Lee, a species
commonly found on potato, tomato, radish, turnip, and cabbage
leaves in Montana. There were no specimens of the tuber flea
beetle present in the collections, but unexpectedly one specimen
of E. cucumeris Har. appeared in a collection from potatoes at
Laurel, July 2, 1941. This is the first record of this species in
Montana, although the species is common in other parts of the
country.
WHEAT INSECTS
HESSIAN FLY. (Phytophaga destructor Say.).— The first record
of this insect in Montana was reported in the Twentieth Report
of the State Entomologist in 1924, when it appeared in Richland,
Roosevelt, Wibaux, and Dawson counties along the eastern bor-
der of the State. During that season some fields suffered losses as
high as 30 percent. It did not again appear until 1930 when spe-
cimens were sent in from Baker in Fallon County.
During the summer of 1944 the attention of this office was
again called to the presence of the Hessian fly in the State. Inves-
tigation disclosed its presence in an area, roughly, from Valley to
Custer county and east. Its appearance was spotty, and injury up
to 20 percent was reported for some spots in certain fields. Over
the area as a whole, however, the injury was not great, and had
it not been for considerable hail damage and resultant close ex-
amination of fields by hail adjustors it is probable that the most
of the infestations would have gone unnoticed.
Upon the first notice of this insect in the State twenty years
ago this office was considerably concerned about the future spread
and activities of this pest. Now, with this two-decade period for
observation, it appears that the pest is likely to be only occasion-
ally sufficiently abundant to cause noticeable damage. The reasons
for its sporadic appearance are not entirely clear. During the past
season there was early dry weather during the growing season,
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST
19
which was more than compensated for after June. During that
month there was an excess of precipitation when compared to the
average; in fact, some weather stations recorded a new maximum
precipitation for June. This would lead one to believe that there
was possibly a similarity between conditions in eastern Montana
in 1944 and the midwest areas where the Hessian fly is constantly
a threat to wheat, and that the excess precipitation of the past
year brought on the infestation. In referring back to the 1924 out-
break, however, this is not immediately apparent. For the State
as a whole the year 1924 was dryer than usual. For weather sta-
tions in the infested area there was no striking deviation from
the average during the growing-season months. There is a sim-
ilarity, however, between the years just preceding 1924 and those
just before 1944. The growing season precipitation (April to August
inclusive) for 1919 was very low, a little over four inches. The
1920 season approached the average for these months, and more
than average precipitation fell during the growing seasons of
1921, 1922, and 1923. The years just before this latest infestation
were also years of greater than average precipitation during the
growing season. Nineteen hundred and thirty-nine was less than
average by about an inch. During 1940 the precipitation was
average, and during 1941, 1942 and 1943 there was more than aver-
age rainfall. In examining
J >M Mf only the one factor of precipi-
iH tation, these data would indi-
cate that the two obvious out-
breaks of the Hessian fly have
followed three seasons of
more than average precipita-
tion and have been sufficient-
ly great to be noticed on the
fourth. It would not be accu-
rate to state that this is the
only factor affecting the in-
crease of this pest nor can we
state that the Hessian fly out-
breaks will always follow pre-
cipitation conditions outlined
above. It is very probable that
it is present in Montana every
,„ year but that it expresses it-
Fieure 5. Hessian fly. Shows "flaxseed" J 1£ . . r , ,.
6 ^ . , , \. ^ self in injurious populations
pupae in typical location just above the ■. u J j , . r ■
p p " *e ' , i only when condit ions are
nodes. Somewhat enlarged. * - , .,,
& proper for a build-up.
The Hessian fly is a small, weak midge, and is seldom noticed
in the field. Its eggs are laid on the leaves of the wheat plant,
20 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
and the larvae move down into the leaf sheath upon hatching. In
this position they feed on sap which exudes from injuries which
they make in the plant tissue. At full growth they develop into
the "flax seed" stage within the leaf sheath. There are probably
two generations a year in Montana, and the winter is spent only
in the "flax seed" stage. Wheat attacked in the fall does not grow
well, and usually takes on a bluish-green tinge. The leaves become
thickened and stand erect. When heavily infested the plants will
die during the winter. Spring infested plants are usually char-
acterized by weakened stems which break over as the head fills.
The break is not clean and usually occurs above the leaves, thus
differing decidedly from that of the wheat stem sawfly, where
the stems break completely off usually near the ground line.
In controlling Hessian flies three methods of attack are suc-
cessfully employed. First, late planting of winter wheat, after the
fall generation of flies has appeared and disappeared, will elimin-
ate fall attack. In states to the east where the flies are a constant
threat this "fly-free" date has been worked out on a geographical
basis, delaying the planting later and later as one progresses
south. This fly-free period has not been ascertained for Montana,
for in years past it has not been necessary to consider this insect
as a pest. Second, all volunteer wheat in the fields, margins, around
straw stacks, granaries, etc. should be destroyed to reduce the
overwintering population. Third, where feasible, plowing under
the stubble as soon after harvest as possible is desirable.
WHEAT JOINTWORM (Harmolita tritici Fitch). — An infesta-
tion of this insect in wheat, involving approximately 3000 acres
was examined south of Columbus in Stillwater County during
the summer of 1943. In places straws were up to 60 percent in-
fested and the reduction in yield was substantial. The infestation
in this area in 1944 had disappeared and there was no record of
loss in this area. According to County Agent Payne, farmers in
this area in the fall of 1943 did a considerable amount of fall
plowing and stubble burning and this may have had its effect
on the population.
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS AND OBSERVATIONS
PEA WEEVIL (Bruchus pisorum (Linn.) ) . — A rather extensive
survey in 1944 in the intermountain valleys where peas are grown
for seed and dried peas showed the pea weevil to be present only
in the vicinity of Missoula. Ravalli County was surveyed under
unfavorable weather conditions but it is believed the survey was
valid. Survey of Lake and Flathead counties was extensive and
thorough but no weevils were found. An infestation of 2-5 per-
cent was reported in some peas grown in Flathead County in
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 21
1943. This infestation was believed to have resulted from infested
seed, which was not fumigated before planting. All seed planted
in 1944 was weevil-free, and apparently the 1943 infestation died
out. There are few suitable hibernation places in the Flathead
Valley and this perhaps accounts for the elimination of the infesta-
tion.
Southwest of Missoula moderate to heavy infestations were
encountered. Infestations of 2.3, 2, 14.5, and 5.8 weevils per 100
sweeps were recorded. Since all seed planted in this area was
weevil-free, it is apparent that successful hibernation has occurred
Harvest data are not available for these fields but it is known that
the third field was abandoned. In the infested area there are
plenty of adequate hibernation places available. Continued in-
crease in weevil populations may seriously affect the growing of
seed peas in the Missoula area.
alfalfa weevil (Hyper a postica Gyll.) . — Records of the oc-
currence of this insect in the State have been briefly reviewed
previously5 and will not be repeated here. An additional record
representing a slight extension of the range has been obtained
since that time. On June 16, 1943, Mr. R. H. Newton of the United
States Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine obtained a
few larvae in an alfalfa field located near where the Billings-
Hardin highway crosses Pryor Creek in southern Yellowstone
County. These larvae were retained alive in a vial by Mr. New-
ton, and the parasite Bathyplectes curculionis Thorn., was reared
from them. As there have been no liberations of these parasites
in the State it is apparent that the weevils have brought the para-
sites in with them as they have progressed north from the Wyom-
ing boundary.
The area infested with the alfalfa weevil in Montana is ap-
parently small and restricted, and the infestations to date have
been light. In this connection it is interesting to refer to a paper
by Cook" published nearly 20 years ago, in which the probable
distribution of the alfalfa weevil is outlined. Cook divided the
western United States into three types of areas related to the
probable success of this invading pest. The first is the area of
normal occurrence where severe infestations may occur, and
second is an area of occasional occurrence where periodic infesta-
tions depending on climatic fluctuations may occur, and the third
is an area of possible occurrence where the weevil might become
of minor economic importance after a series of favorable years.
There are no areas noted in Montana where severe infestations
may occur. The second degree of infestation, occasional occurrence,
may appear west of the Divide and north about to Flathead and
sMont Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 384, p. 23, 1941.
"Jr. Agr. Res. 30, pp. 479-491, 1925,
22 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
Lincoln counties, and in a small area in Big Horn and Yellowstone
counties. Areas of possible occurrence are scattered throughout
the central part of the State. The interesting point is that the
present Montana infestation falls within the small area of occa-
sional occurrence in the south-central part of the State, where,
according to Cook's calculations, it might be most expected to
occur. The known infestation in the State is eight years old, and
it has spread to the outer limits of this area of occasional occur-
rence.
Assuming the correctness of Cook's conclusions, the alfalfa
weevil should never become a great pest in Montana, and measur-
able damage to alfalfa should occur only rarely and in limited
areas in the State.
tiger moth (Callarctia blakei Grote) . — In 1944 larval speci-
mens of this tiger moth were submitted for identification from
Yellowstone and Choteau counties. In Choteau County it was
reported damaging a wheat field during the latter part of April.
An investigation revealed the larvae had invaded a field of winter
wheat either from adjacent stubble, or rangeland at the end of
the stubble, probably the latter. About five acres had been fed
over by May 3, but the young leaves had not been entirely de-
stroyed. Good growing weather enabled the field to recover and
by harvest it was not possible to distinguish the infested area.
strawberry crown miner (Aristotelia fragariae Busck) .- -
This pest of strawberries previous to the autumn of 1944 had not
been reported to this office or observed in the field in Montana.
It has long been known in the Pacific Northwest, both in Canada
and in the United States, and it is no great surprise to find it in
this State. Almost simultaneously infested plants were sent in
from Charlo and Findlay Point in Lake County, for identification
and control measures.
The adult of the strawberry crown miner is a small moth
with a wing spread of about a half inch. In itself it does not dam-
age strawberry plants. The larvae, however, bore through the
crowns of the plants causing poor development of the leaves and
a general stunting of the plant. These larvae are typical moth
larvae, pinkish in color, and about a half inch long. Their borings
open up the crown and roots to the attacks of injurious fungi.
Healthy, vigorous, young plants are seldom attacked. No artificial
control measures have as yet been developed. Infested plantings
should be plowed up and replanted, and where possible the old
plants should be raked and destroyed.
EUROPEAN earwig (Forficula auricularia L.). — The spread of
this introduced insect in the State has been reported in the last
two leports of the State Entomologist. During the last biennium
it has appeared in two new areas, Bozeman and Great Falls. In
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 23
neither place have the infestations reached any great proportion
as yet.
spruce tussock moth (Olene near plagiata Wlk.).— Since
1939 there have been reports of larvae of a large tussock moth
partially defoliating spruce trees in the city of Billings. Investiga-
tions of the infestations, rearings, and determinations by Heinrich
have established the identity of the species causing the damage.
Defoliation has not been excessive in the trees examined, and at
least one of the premises infested in 1943 was apparently free of
the pest in 1944. Lead arsenate sprays have been recommended
and have given control.
white grub parasite (Xylaria sp.).
. The grubs of the June beetle Phyllophaga
anxia Lee. were received from County
Agent Stanley Halvorson in Hamilton, on
April 24, 1944. They were attacked by a
fungus, the fruiting bodies of which were
emerging from the region of the head.
These were identified by Dean F. B. Cot-
ner as belonging to the genus Xylaria.
Later specimens attacked by the same
organism were received from others in
Hamilton. Apparently the disease was
common on white grubs in that locality,
and is recorded because of the unusual-
ness of such records in the State.
maggots attacking a human (Wo hJ-
Figure 6. Diseased white fahrtia meigeni Schin.).— In the Twenty-
grub. Tusk-like growths ninth Report of the State Entomologist7 is
are fungus which killed recorded the attacks of maggots on young
grub. (Somewhat enlarg- mink. The larvae were reared and proved
ed) to be those of a large fly, Wohlfahrtia
meigeni Schin. On July 12, 1943, specimens
of maggots were received from Dr. E. M. Joneschild of the Live-
stock Sanitary Board in Helena. Concerning these maggots Dr.
Joneschild stated that they had been removed from a baby in
Great Falls. A fly had been seen in the baby buggy under the
mosquito netting and had apparently attacked the child as it
cried out. Not long afterward eight or nine red spots appeared
on the child which at first were considered to be mosquito bites.
However, these areas enlarged, and about three days afterward
a portion of the maggots were seen protruding from the openings,
and a doctor was consulted who extracted them. But one live
specimen reached this office on the 12th and it was immediately
placed in a pupating jar, in which it emerged as an adult male
fly of the above-named species on the 27th. The specimen was
•^lont Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 408, p. 25. 1942.
24 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
pinned and returned to the Livestock Sanitary Board in Helena.
This is the first record of this species attacking humans in
Montana of which we have knowledge, although there are several
such records in the literature from other parts of the continent,
and interesting discussions of Wchlfahrtia attacks by Dr. E. M.
Walker5. These observations were made on the closely related
eastern species W. vigil Wlk. which appears to differ but little
from the western form W. meigeni Schin. in its biology. It is
thought that the above case should be recorded as it is the first
in the State.
ox warbles (Hypoderma lineatum De Vill. and H. bovis De
G.) . — During this war period there has been considerably more
emphasis placed on the control of these pests than in the past.
What appear to be practical control measures have been worked
out for the first species in states to the south of Montana, but
there is a dearth of adequate information on the biologies of the
two species in this area as they may affect the controls applied.
A cooperative project between this department and the Veter-
inary Research Laboratories and the Department of Animal In-
dustry is now gathering data on the practicability of controlling
warbles under Montana conditions and a considerable amount of
biological data are being collected. Wherever collections have
been made at the proper time both species have been present, and
it is probable that they both occur throughout the State. As soon
as sufficient information is available to indicate the significance
of these data they will be released by the cooperating depart-
ments.
BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE MONTANA STATE APIARIST,
1943-44
During the past biennium the Office of the State Apiarist has
functioned in the various capacities provided by law. Its most
important activity is that of maintaining control of bee diseases
by apiary inspection. In addition the State Apiarist has acted as
a source of information and advice on the technical problems of
many individual beekeepers, assisted in keeping the bee industry
in contact with the various government agencies and regulations,
at times presented the cause of individuals and the industry to
these agencies, studied the opportunities and the utilization of
Montana's honey-producing resources, and also studied some of
Montana's needs for the services of bees in the pollination of
crops.
In the previous report" it has been shown that beekeepers in
Montana fall into two groups, an amateur group of 600 to 700
8Jr Parasitology, Vol. 7. pp. 1-7. 1920, and Vol. 9, pp. 1-5, 1922.
BMont. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. No. 40Sf, pp. 26-28.
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 25
persons who own small numbers of bee colonies and engage in
very limited operations, and a professional group of about 75
individuals who own and operate commercial establishments. The
latter group is here spoken of as the "bee industry".
Beekeeping has expanded in Montana from a total of 30,000
colonies operated in 1941 to 44,000 in 1944. However, the last two
years have shown a distinct drop in production per colony with
the result that Montana's crop the last two years has been lower
than that of 1942. The present expansion is largely accounted for
by movement of apiaries from other states, and in lesser part by
the expansion of existing establishments within the State. There
has not been a corresponding expansion in the number and size
of amateur-operated apiaries. Hence, the bee industry operates an
even larger proportion of the bees in the State than the 93 percent
reported in 1942.
AMERICAN FOULBROOD CONTROL
Inspection of apiaries for control of American foulbrood has
been limited by available funds and personnel. Hence, it has been
necessary to set up limited objectives. Briefly, the objective has
been to eliminate sources of disease which are not being adequate-
ly controlled. This has meant the inspection of amateur-operated
bees and such limited supervision of the bee industry as seemed
both necessary and possible. It has been impossible to embark on a
program of uniform inspection and uniform control. As will be
shown it appears that control, such as the burning of all diseased
bees, would not be so effective in Montana as it has been in most
parts of the country. Inspection results for 1943 and 1944 are
presented in table 4.
It is clear from the data reported that progress has been
made over the area where control has been attempted. Both the
incidence and distribution of the disease is being cut down. It is
also clear that the totals are small and easily influenced by any
class represented.
Table 5 indicates that there exists a small group of operations
which reflect unfavorably upon the total results. The 11 apiaries
selected for removal from the 1943 total and 17 from that of 1944
were commercially operated apiaries which had not been pre-
viously inspected. They were in no case disease or hospital api-
aries into which diseased colonies had been moved for operation
or treatment. The above apiaries are certainly not representative
of commercial operations in general. However, they do indicate
that a serious disease problem still exists within the commercial
bee industry. If progress is to continue, the commercial industry
must be brought under closer surveillance than has been possible
with the present program.
26 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
TABLE 4. — INCIDENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN FOULBROOD IN
APLARIES INSPECTED IN 1943 AND 1944
County
Colonies
Colonies
Apiaries
Apiaries
inspected
A. F. B.
inspected
infected
1943
Beaverhead
7
0
1
0
Big Horn
120
89
3
3
Blaine
32
0
4
0
Broadwater
1
0
1
0
Carbon
71
8
4
1
Cascade
112
30
22
9
Flathead
64
8
12
4
Gallatin
85
20
14
4
Jefferson
36
2
8
1
Lake
397
84
109
32
Madison
34
8
8
2
Missoula
124
71
28
15
Park
49
14
8
4
Phillips
2
0
1
0
Pondera
78
15
24
5
Ravalli
992
180
67
29
Stillwater
14
0
2
0
Sweet Grass
44
2
7
2
Teton
10
1
5
1
Yellowstone
267
2,539
27
31
9
Totals
559
359
121
22.0%
33.7%
1944
Blaine
30
6
3
2
Carbon
18
0
3
0
Cascade
33
3
7
2
Flathead
163
45
28
6
Fergus
101
3
18
2
Gallatin
73
1
6
1
Jefferson
28
0
6
0
Lake
656
66
85
21
Madison
214
114
8
5
Missoula
104
31
25
12
Lewis and Clark
46
8
7
3
Ravalli
461
60
34
8
Sanders
172
1
14
1
Musselshell
34
10
2
2
Wheatland
12
6
1
1
Yellowstone
392
54
36
12
Totals
2,537
408
16.1%
283
78
27.6%
During the spring of 1943 the State Apiarist recommended
the use of American foulbrood-resistant bees as an approach to
the problem. Through cooperation with the Iowa Beekeepers' As-
sociation, orders were pooled under a non-profit agency of the
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 27
State Apiarist and queens were made available to Montana bee-
keepers at volume prices. About 2000 queens were distributed to
eighteen Montana beekeepers in this manner. The reaction from
this experimental application ranged all the way from very satis-
factory to very unsatisfactory. The queens were criticized more
in regard to their quality as queens than as to their disease-re-
sistance characteristics.
TABLE 5.— THE MOST DISEASED APIARIES INSPECTED IN 1943 AND 1944
AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE TOTAL RESULTS
No. apiaries
No.
colonies
No
. colonies
Percent
inspected
inspected
A
. F.
B.
infected
1943
11 worst apiaries
389
219
56.31
(.22.0%
348 remaining apiaries
2150
340
15.81
1944
17 worst apiaries
657
259
39.41
U6.1%
266 remaining apiaries
1869
147
7.9J
The Montana foulbrood problem is more complicated than
that of most states. Through so-called "wild bees" territory be-
comes easily contaminated with the result that belts of trees along
rivers, rimrocks and old buildings become perennial sources of
infection. There are some sites where 80 to 90 percent of the bee
colonies go foul whenever apiaries are placed in them. In 1943 the
State Apiarist inspected one ranch site where it was estimated
that 14 to 16 colonies of bees had died of foulbrood in the walls
of the buildings. A commercial apiary of 100 colonies within one
and one-half miles of the ranch buildings became completely
contaminated, and was the reason for investigation. Elimination
of the source was impractical, the apiary was salvaged by the
operator without penaltv, and the apiary site was abandoned.
Such incidents as the above are numerous. They definitely
demonstrate that there is a relationship between swarm control
and disease control in Montana, and also that methods different
from those generally used, and recommended must be applied in
these cases. Existing methods of control by eliminating sources
of infection become impractical if not impossible.
It can still be stated that the main sources of infection occur
within beehives operated by man. The bee-tree story is a fact in
Montana but is also amplified to become the alibi for careless
operation. The bee industry is expanded and many operations are
undermanned. Operators have less time for swarm control and
disease-control emergencies that arise. Within the limits of safe
operation the present expanded production is admirable. How-
28 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
ever, there is no doubt that the present man-power shortage is
aggravating the disease problem.
NOSEMA DISEASE
Infection with Nosema apis, a disease of adult bees, was co-
incident with the total decimation of one 20-colony apiary in
Flathead County during the spring of 1944. This pathogen was also
associated in 1943 with spring dwindling of colonies in one outfit
brought from Idaho in May of that year. The Flathead infection
was confined to one apiary. Other apiaries within the distance of
one-quarter of a mile showed no serious affects. The only explana-
tion as to source of infection appeared to be a half barrel in the
apiary kept filled to constant level with an automatic water tap
for watering purposes. The barrel remained open to contamina-
tion by the cleansing flights of the bees and the water was not
changed during the spring period. Unfortunately the water in
the barrel was not examined. The above isolated cases stand out
because Nosema disease is not regarded as having serious conse-
quences in Montana, though the actual role of the pathogen is
not well understood. Most of the State Apiarist's efforts to find
the infection in Montana apiaries have had negative results.
UTILIZATION OF HONEY PRODUCING RESOURCES
The Montana bee industry has had what might be called a
small frontier until a very recent date. The unique position of the
State Apiarist has made it both possible and desirable to study
some of the areas where commercial honey production was un-
developed with the purpose of discovering new bee territories
and bringing them into ccmmercial production. As a result, in
the last three years some 12,000 colonies of bees have been placed
in sites believed to be productive. Information on new territory
has been freely offered to individuals seeking it. Though final
conclusions on the resources put to use and small areas still un-
used cannot be drawn, a report on this study is in order here.
Because of the short Montana season migratory beekeeping is
considered impractical and little of it is practiced. Most colonies
stand on the same spot year after year. Hence, the criteria of an
apiary location should include both winter and spring require-
ments. Many of the criteria are not measurements but only rough
estimates on the part of the operators after examining the area of
proposed operations. However, some of the factors which limit
honey production are measurable and are a matter of record. They
are precipitation and other weather conditions, irrigation, legume
hay, seed crops, soil, and physiography of the land. Certain factors
are not of record, namely, amount of waste land, amount of volun-
THIRTIETH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 29
teer sweet clover, secondary honey and pollen plants, and protec-
tion from prevailing winds. Further, beyond the generalities that
sweet clover is our main honey plant, and that it requires mois-
ture and favorable soil, no absolute evaluation of any of the sup-
posed limiting factors in relation to the whole has been possible
for any area during any particular year. The use of irrigation
maps, weather records, Agricultural Census statistics of legume
hay and seed crops, apiary registration records, and information
on physiography has enabled the State Apiarist to select unused
beekeeping territory with a high degree of success. Where com-
binations of favorable factors have been found, commercial opera-
tors have almost invariably confirmed the conclusions by examin-
ing the territory and putting it into production. There has been
only one definite failure and this was attributed to a factor not
found in any other area. Though it is too early to draw definite
conclusions, the methods applied have resulted in the location of
thousands of colonies of bees and the production of approximately
1,000,000 pounds of honey and 20,000 pounds of beeswax in 1944.
30 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 425
INDEX
Page
Introduction 3
Major Insect Control Problems 4
Grasshopper Control, 1943-44 4
1943 Season 5
Federally financed control in 1943 8
1944 Season 8
Federally financed control in 1944 12
Grasshopper outlook for 1945 13
Mormon cricket control, 1943-44 14
Wheat stem sawfly, 1943-44 15
Other Important Insect Pests, 1943-44 17
Potato Insects 17
Potato psyllid 17
Flea beetles 18
Wheat Insects 18
Hessian fly 18
Wheat joint worm 20
Miscellaneous Records and Observations 20
Pea weevil 20
Alfalfa weevil 21
Tiger moth 22
Strawberry crown miner 22
European earwig 22
Spruce tussock moth 23
White grub parasite 23
Maggots attacking a human 23
Ox warbles 24
Biennial Report Of The Montana State Apiarist 24
American Foulbrood Control 25
Nosema Disease 28
Utilization of Honey-Producing Resources 28
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