FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST Gl 



Wireworms (Elateridae) . Wireworms were not as troublesome 

 as in previous years and no large areas of wheat were reported injured 

 by them. There was a report of wireworms doing damage to potato 

 tubers, but this was not extensive. 



BEES AND ALLIED FORMS (HYMENOPTERA) 



Alfalfa Seed Chalcid (BrucJiopha^us funebris How.). The 

 alfalfa seed chalcid was found in the seeds of volunteer red clover 

 in the western part of the State. An examination of clover seed 

 sent into the State Grain Laboratory from various localities for 

 testing, has not resulted in finding any more evidence of this very 

 injurious insect. 



The Leaf Cutter Bees {Megachile sp.). These bees drew con- 

 siderable attention this season when the cut leaves of shade trees 

 and shrubs were noticed. This insect cuts leaves of corn, roses, poplar, 

 lilac, box elder and many shade trees. The nests were found in the 

 soil and sent in by one inquirer. 



THE OFFICE OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST IN MONTANA 



Many of the States in this country maintain a separate office 

 of State Entomologist at a considerable expense in order that in 

 addition to the research conducted at the Agricultural Experiment 

 Station the various phases of the practical control of pests may be 

 adequately cared for. 



By an act of our legislative assembly approved March 4, 1903, 

 the entomologist of the Experiment Station was designated as State 

 Entomologist. He receives no compensation for his services other 

 than that received from the State College but his necessary traveling, 

 office, and laboratory expenses are paid from a small fund appro- 

 priated for the purpose. This sum was $300 for the first year and 

 was gradually increased during the following twelve years until 

 $2000 was appropriated. The last legislature appropriated for the 

 expenses of the State Entomologist the sum of $2700, but on account 

 of shortage of funds only $2000 was allowed by the State Board of 

 Examiners. 



This office has now been established fourten years and during 

 this time has witnessed many outbreaks of pests, some of which have 

 been severe. It is believed that very much has been done to alleviate 

 these outbreaks and that large sums of money have been saved to 

 our farmers, gardeners, stockmen, and fruit growers. 



