MONTANA INSECT PESTS, 1951-1952 23 



POWDER POST BEETLES (Coleoptera order) 

 Two cases of powder post beetle infestations were reported in 

 Cascade and Flathead counties in 1952. One infestation involved 

 damage to a wooden desk, the other infestation to woodwork in 

 a home. These insects were not reported or observed in 1951. 



STRAWBERRY ROOT WEEVILS (Brachyrhinus ovatus) 

 Several cases of strawberry root weevils infesting homes, 

 particularly basements, have occurred during the biennium. Ap- 

 parently this insect, which is destructive to strawberries, is not 

 harmful in the household where it may be seeking shelter. Oc- 

 currences of this type were reported in Lake and Glacier counties 

 in 1951, and in Flathead County in 1952. 



INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE OF MAN AND ANIMALS 



MOSQUITOES (Culicidae family) 



Contrary to popular opinion, studies have indicated that the 

 more important mosquito species present in Montana do not 

 breed in permanent pools. Instead, these species breed in semi- 

 permanent standing water which generally accumulates from 

 three different sources: spring run-off, run-off from rain showers, 

 and irrigation. Attempts to control mosquitoes by spraying adult 

 mosquitoes in towns and cities have largely been unsuccessful, 

 particularly in heavy mosquito areas. It is apparent that if mos- 

 quito control, under Montana conditions, is to be successful the 

 mosquitoes must be controlled in their larval stage in the inter- 

 mittent pools or puddles or such intermittent water must be elim- 

 inated. More information on the problem is necessary before 

 large-scale successful mosquito control can be accomplished. An 

 investigational project was set up in Blaine County in the late 

 spring of 1952 with the objective of obtaining this fundamental 

 information. Cooperating in this project are the United States 

 Public Health Service, the Montana State Board of Health, the 

 Agricultural Experiment Station at Montana State College, the 

 people of Blaine County as represented by their mosquito com- 

 mittee, and the Office of the State Entomologist. 



Concurrent with the establishment of the investigational pro- 

 gram the Junior Chamber of Commerce at Miles City with the 

 support of the City of Miles City and its citizens decided to at- 

 tempt mosquito control in hopes of preventing mosquito infesta- 

 tions within the city during the summer of 1952. This test project 

 was conducted by 'Mr. John P. Cunningham, the County Sani- 

 tarian. In so far as possible all intermittent standing water within 

 about a three-mile radius of Miles City was surveyed frequently 

 for the presence of mosquito larvae. Whenever mosquito larvae 



