12 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 457 



SEED CORN MAGGOT (Hylemya cilicrura) 



Some damage to bean fields, caused by the seed corn maggot, 

 was observed in the Bilhngs area in the spring of 1947, and in the 

 Bitterroot Valley a small acreage of beans was severely damaged. 

 No damage was reported in 1948. 



BUMBLE FLOWER BEETLE (Euphoria inda) 



Specimens of the bumble flower beetle were received from the 

 Billings area in September of 1948. It was reported that the ears 

 in a field of mature corn were being damaged by this insect. This 

 pest was previously recorded occurring in the same area in Mon- 

 tana in 1911, 1912, 1915, and 1916. In all of these cases it was found 

 to be damaging corn. The bumble flower beetle has apparently 

 never occurred in large enough numbers to be of particular eco- 

 nomic importance. It has not been recorded as occurring in any 

 other section of the state. 



ALFALFA 



ALFALFA WEEVIL (Hyper a postica) 



Since the first outbreak of alfalfa weevil in southeastern 

 Montana in 1946, this insect has continued to be one of our most 

 serious pests of feed and seed alfalfa. The infested area has 

 increased from year to year until, at the present time, the infesta- 

 tion extends over the southeastern section of the state from Terry 

 to Reed Point. The alfalfa weevil has become so serious a pest that 

 many farmers have discontinued the growing of alfalfa. Since this 

 insect has been able to establish itself in the state and has con- 

 tinued to spread, it appears likely that a further spread may be 

 expected. The State Entomologist's office and the Montana Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station have carried on considerable research 

 in an effort to develop more satisfactory control measures. From 

 the results of this work, a more satisfactory control method has 

 been developed. 



LYGUS BUGS (Lygus sp.) 



Lygus bugs are found in all sections of the state and are pests 

 in many areas where alfalfa and clover seed are grown. In 1947 

 heavy populations of lygus bugs were observed causing damage to 

 alfalfa along Pryor Creek, south of Billings. Alfalfa fields from 

 which hay crops have been removed each year for a period of 

 years, generally have a lighter lygus infestation than fields which 

 are left for seed. This may account for some of the fluctuations 

 in numbers. 



