TWENTY-NINTH REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 13 



which emerged from eggs that were attacked in the fall of 1941, 

 were apparently able to successfully parasitize eggs that had es- 

 caped the year before. This gave S. pilosum two chances at the 

 same set of eggs. Regardless of this high degree of parasitism there 

 appear to be enough viable eggs left to cause a serious infestation 

 for 1943. 



The first hatching of Mormon cricket eggs was observed in 

 Big Horn County during the first week of April. The hatch was 

 irregular and continued over several weeks due to the long period 

 of cool, wet weather which prevailed over most of the State during 

 April and May. Adult crickets were observed about the middle 

 of June and egg deposition began early in July. 



Except in the Beaverhead area the egg parasite, S. pilosum, did 

 not occur in large enough numbers to greatly reduce the infestation. 

 The predatory wasp Palmodes was not observed in sufficient num- 

 bers to be of importance in reducing the number of crickets. In Big 

 Horn and Yellowstone counties crows, hawks, blackbirds, and mag- 

 pies were observed feeding on crickets. Relatively few migrations 

 were observed during the season. In most cases the crickets 

 remained in the general area where hatching occurred. 



Indications are that little control work will be necessary 

 in 1943. Possibly a small amount of baiting will be needed 

 again in Yellowstone and Big Horn counties. The Beaverhead 

 County infestation should be watched carefully to prevent rein- 

 festation of the lower lands. The Mormon cricket population in 

 northern Glacier County seems to be increasing and some work 

 may be necessary there. 



STORED GRAIN INSECTS 



Figure 2. Granary weevil, 

 greatly enlarged. 



Two surveys of the State have been 

 made, one in 1941, and the other in 1942, 

 to obtain information on the species of 

 grain pests present in the State, their dis- 

 tribution, and the factors affecting their 

 abundance. These pests are much more 

 widely distributed and much more com- 

 mon in grain storage than was suspected. 

 They are a real problem under certain 

 conditions, and may at times become limit- 

 ing factors in the marketing of stored 

 materials of this sort. Harvesting during 

 both the 1941 and 1942 seasons was carried 

 out under difficult conditions and in both 

 years a great deal of grain went into the 

 granaries with a greater moisture content 



