BULLETIN OF THE 
No. 107 
Contribution from the Bureau of Biological Survey, Henry W. Henshaw, Chief 
July 27, 1914. 
(PROFESSIONAL PAPER.) 
BIRDS IN RELATION TO THE ALFALFA WEEVIL. 
By E. R. Kalmbach, Assistant Biologist. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The alfalfa weevil (Phytonomas posticus Gyll.), a pest introduced 
into the United States, has for several years been doing enormous 
damage to alfalfa crops in Utah. On invitation of and in coopera- 
tion with the Bureau of Entomology, the Biological Survey there- 
fore undertook to ascertain 
the part played by birds 
and mammals in checking 
the increase of the weevil. 
Accordingly the writer 
spent from May 8 to July 
25, 1911, and from April 1 
to August 15, 1912, at vari- 
ous points in the infested 
region, investigating the 
food habits of local birds 
and of a few batrachians 
and other vertebrates. 
This bulletin chiefly con- 
siders the food habits of birds, but facts concerning the economic 
status of other vertebrates also are included. 
IMPORTATION AND SPREAD OF THE ALFALFA WEEVIL IN UTAH. 
The time and method of initial introduction of the alfalfa weevil 
into Utah is unknown, but the first serious damage was noted in the 
spring of 1904, when a small infestation a few miles southeast of 
Salt Lake City was discovered. From this foothold the weevil spread 
and by September, 1911, had extended as far north as Tremonton, 
Note. — This bulletin discusses the food habits and economic status of birds, and of 
the toad, frog, and a few other vertebrate enemies of the alfalfa weevil in Utah, 
43778°— Bull. 107—14 1 
Fig. 1. — Known distribution of the alfalfa weevil 
(Phytonomus posticus), May 1, 1914. (Map by 
Bureau of Entomology.) 
