MONTANA INSECT PESTS, 1951-1952 27 



County was reexamined on May 29, 1952, and the Chrysolina 

 hyperici area showed a few adults and numerous larvae. This 

 survey indicated the possibility that it was being conducted too 

 early in the season for observation of adult beetle populations. 



A second survey was conducted June 19, through 23, 1952. The 

 1948 Chrysolina hyperici colony at Charlos Heights showed well 

 established adult populations as did two 1949 Chrysolina hyperici 

 colonies in Sanders County. The 1949 Chrysolina gemellata colony 

 at Charlos Heights in Ravalli County did not show evidence of 

 establishment. However, the various 1951 Chrysolina gemellata 

 colonies observed showed good evidence of establishment. 



Twelve colonies of adult beetles were redistributed in June 

 of 1952 from the established 1948 Chrysolina hyperici colony in 

 Ravalli County, the 1949 Chrysolina hyperici colonies in Sanders 

 County, and the 1951 Chrysolina gemellata colony in Lake 

 County. This redistribution program included two colonies 

 to Mineral County, one colony to Gallatin County, one colony to 

 Ravalli County, two colonies to Sanders County, four colonies to 

 Lincoln County, and two colonies to Lake County. In addition, 

 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service imported seven col- 

 onies of Chrysolina gemellata from California which were planted 

 on the Bison Range in Sanders County on May 31 to June 1, 1952. 



FUTURE PROGRAM 



On the basis of the evidence to date, it appears that many of 

 the 1951 Chrysolina gemellata colonies will be established and 

 ready for redistribution in the spring of 1953. It is anticipated that 

 the larger portion of this redistribution program will be carried 

 out by individual ranchers. Therefore, an educational program to 

 be conducted by the Office of the State Entomologist and the 

 Montana Agricultural Extension Service is being planned. For 

 this purpose a short 16 mm. motion picture film covering the 

 mechanics of collection and planting of goatweed beetles has been 

 prepared by this office. Educational meetings for the purpose of 

 organizing individual rancher distribution of goatweed beetles are 

 planned for the spring of 1953. 



Some redistribution of goatweed beetles in the spring of 1953 

 to be carried out by the Office of the State Entomologist is also 

 planned. Such redistribution will principally involve plantings in 

 relatively inaccessible areas where goatweed has become 

 established. These plantings will be conducted by aircraft drop, a 

 technique which was worked out by the Office of the State Ento- 

 mologist during the summer of 1952. In addition it is also antici- 

 pated that the United States Forest Service will conduct some 

 redistribution programs in 1953. 



