52 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION 



SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



of the 



State Entomologist of Montana. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE YEAR. 



Every farmer and fruit grower has observed that no two seasons 

 are alike with respect to the insect pests that he is called upon to 

 coniibat on his crops. Obeying more or less definite laws, each 

 pest has its "ups and downs," or alternating periods of comparative 

 al^undance and scarcity. Some are with us in greater or less abun- 

 dance each year and should be treated for practically every season, 

 while others cdmie' into prominence only occasionally. 



. With respect to variety of insect pests and extent of depreda- 

 tions, the past season was an average one. There were no con- 

 spicuous outbreaks of pests. 



For purposes of record it seems desirable to list the prominent 

 insect depredators of the year, with comments on each. It is our 

 intention to continue this practice each year in the future, thus 

 making a consecutive record of annual entomological features. 



Green fruit woim {Xylina sp.) — During the last three or four 

 years this insect has been seen frequently in the Bitter Root valley 

 and our records showi that it occurs throughout Montana. It is 

 not a very injurious species but often attracts the attention of 

 orchardists and leads to inquiries being sent to the Experiment 

 Station. In recent years it has been of particular interest because 

 of the fact that the ^^^eculiar corky growth on the apples, induced 

 by the attack of the larvae on the very young apples, has been mis- 

 taken for apple scab. The work of the young larvae early in the 

 season is liable to be confused with that of the e}'e-spotted bud 

 moth. 



The tussock moth (Motolophus autiqua Linn.) — Of the eleven 



