64 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION 



to a very wet spring and summer. One rancher estimated that 

 his wheat crop in 1911 had been reduced 5,000 bushels because of 

 this pest. In dry seasons it is very apt to become troublesome. As 

 yet it is unnamed and its habits unknown. 



The Dandelion Aphis (Macrosiphum martini Cockerell). 

 During the last few years this hitherto little known aphis has be- 

 come very abundant. It is especially numerous in the late summer. 

 Letters were received from various parts of the State, some com- 

 niaining that this insect was invading houses and becoming a 

 nuisance because of the dark red stains made by accidentally 

 crushing it. 



Oyster Shell Scale {Lepidosaphes ulmi L.). This is one of 

 the principal orchard insects for which spraying is done. It is a 

 very serious pest in uncared for orchards, but has been brought 

 tmder control by the lime-sulphur treatment wherever the latter 

 has been carefully carried out. 



LEPIDOPTEEA 



The Bee Moth {Galleria mellonella L.). This insect has 

 been known to occur in the Gallatin valley for a number of years 

 .'tnd its presence is suspected in other honey-producing districts. It 

 is often the cause of considerable loss in the apiary and its presence 

 in the State is one of the reasons why apiary inspection is needed. 



The Sugar Beet Web Worm {Loxostege sticticalis L.). A 

 severe outbreak of this pest occurred during the latter part of June 

 in the sugar-beet territory adjacent to Billings. In many instances 

 all of the beet above ground was devoured. In many fields the 

 pest was controlled by spraying with Paris green and arsenate of 

 lead. A severe rain and hail storm, which swept this district just 

 as the worms were becoming extremely abundant, apparently wiped 

 them out and prevented the appearance of the usual August brood. 

 This pest was also reported as injuring alfalfa in the northern part 

 of the State. 



Cutworms {Noctuidae). Cutworms were unusually abundant 

 in all parts of the State and many letters were received concerning 

 them. At Victor and Hamilton in the Bitter Root Valley climbing 

 cutworms completely defoliated young apple trees. 



