SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST o 



year was especially abundant. The first generation of worms attacks 

 corn when only a few inches high while a later generation gnaws 

 out the kernels at the tips of the ears. 



Mourning Cloak Butterfly (Euvanessa antiopa Linn.). The 

 larvae of this species, known as the "spiny elm caterpillar," eat the 

 foliage of elm, willow, and cottonwood. Specimens were received 

 from several localities where they were reported numerous. 



Cecropia Moth {Samia cecropia Linn.). This large moth and 

 caterpillar, often mistaken for the silkworm, was abundant at Glas- 

 gow, Union, and Sidney. 



Cutworms {JVoctuidae). Cutworms were as abundant as usual 

 in gardens all over the state. Almost every kind of garden plant 

 was attacked. In some places onions suffered severely from being 

 chewed off near the surface of the soil. 



Pale Western Cutworm (PoTosagTotis ortJio^onia Morr,). 

 Throughout twelve counties in the northern and eastern sections 

 of the state, as well as in two counties of the central district, this 

 insect caused enormous losses to the grain crop. In many cases 

 what the worms partially destroyed the drought finished, but in 

 as many other instances partial loss from drought was made com- 

 plete by the ravages of the worms. This is a new pest in Montana 

 and can not be combated by the ordinary methods employed against 

 cutworms. 



Parnassius Butterfly {Pamassiiis smintJievis D. & H.). This 

 beautiful butterfly was abundant in the mountainous sections of the 

 state during a short period last summer. 



Tent Caterpillar {Clisioca'nipa sp.). In some sections of north- 

 ern and eastern Montana the wild rose foliage was completely 

 destroyed before July 1 by this insect. Currant bushes, not protected 

 with sprays, also suffered injury. 



The Oblique-Banded Leaf-Roller {Archip rosaceana Harris). 

 This year saw an increase of this insect in the Bitter Root Valley 

 and a considerable amount of damage was done to the foliage of 

 apple trees. 



Mediterranean Flour Moth (EpJiestis kuehniella Zell.). This 

 insect is regarded as the most important of all pests which infest 

 flour mills, warehouses, grain mills, and stores. The larvae feed 

 upon all kinds of grain products. The fine wel:) which they spin 



