FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 151 



ning. They appear to be more abundant in upland regioins rather 

 than in the lower river valleys and in such localities often congre- 

 gate in great numbers from surrounding untitled lands. 



In the eastern states another species, Epicanta vittata, is known 

 as the ''old fashioned potato bug," but so far as we know this species 

 does not occur in Montana, though the farmers are in the habit here 

 of speaking of a species by the above common name used in the east, 

 What this species is is not clear to the writer, but we think it prob- 

 ably either Macrobasis unicolor or Cantharis spliaericollis. 



The beetles succumb readily to arsenic poisons, such as Pans 

 green, and under circumstances where the field is not too large the 

 use of this insecticide is advised. It is not clear whether its- use 

 should be advised on alfalfa, and for the present it is best to be on 

 the safe side. In alfalfa fields these beetles would probably leave 

 at once if the alfalfa were to be cut for hay and where the insects 

 are very abundant it may be best to cut a few days ahead of the 

 regular time. 



THE CODLING MOTH 



(Cydia pomonella.) 



The codling moth continues to be the insect pest most to ')e 

 feared by growers of apples, not because of the damage it has done 

 or is doing, but because of what it is capable of doing in commercial 

 orchards. 



Little change is made in the situation as regards this pest in a 

 single year, but during the past few years a considerable number 

 of new colonies have been located, and the older established colonies 

 have continued with no improvement. 



This insect is here to stay and it is highly desirable that the 

 fruit growers prepare to wage a war upon it. We are pleased to 

 note that our fruit growers are awake to the importance of prompt 

 action and are willing to buy the necessary spraying equipment. 



The codling moth is now present in about eighteen separate 

 localities in Montana and extermination is out of the question. 



We are entering upon a very critical period in the apple indus- 

 try in this state and unless greater unanimity is shown with regard 

 to the control of the codling moth than is being shown in the packing 



