The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1909-07-24
INSECT DAMAGING ALFALFA
Utah State Agricultural College
Sending Out Bulletins Show
ing Best Way to Fight 1t

Salt Lake Tribune: Prof. E. G. Titus,
of the State Agricultural College, is
sending out bulletins warning the
farmers of the State against danger.
ous alfalfa insect which is said to be
creating a good deal Of damage to tn"
crops at this time. 1t is estimated that
already many hundred dollars worth of
damage has been done to the alfalfa
crop alone, and unless the pest is stamp
ed out the damage will be greater.
The bulletin calls attention to the fact
that of the $4,000 acres of lucerne in
Salt Lake County, at least 9-l0 is now
being injured by the alfalfa leaf weevil.
The insect comes from Europe and in
some years has caused an injury so Sc
we're that it has stopped the growing OF
the crops for o number of years. The
coming of the insect is of Importance.
because it feeds not only on alfalfa but
upon sweet clover. yellow clover, and
red clover. The bulletin says:
"Since the first report in 1904. the in.
sect has been gradually but slowly
spreading until 1908. Last year there
were a very large number Of the weevils
developed. and they spread the past year
over a large and extensive new terri
tory. The principal means Of distribu-
ton Of the insect is in the weevil or full
grown stage. when they pass from field
to field by walking; and at certain times
in the fall and spring. distribute them.
selves to o considerable distance by fly
ing. Large numbers of the Larvae or
young Of the insect are carried on hay
racks, from the fields to the stacks and
barns. This will account for small
amount of distribution. since some of
these are so nearly full grown that they
do not need to feed longer before chang.
ing to the weevil stage.
Gradually Increasing
The bulletin deals at some length
with the life of the insect and the man
ner in which it carries on its work.
Careful directions are also given as to
the means of avoiding injury to crops
as far as possible and for eliminating
the pest from the fields.
The following brief summary pre-.
pared by Prof. Titus explains in some
degree the method of preventing the
depredations of the insect and the care
which should be exercised by farmers
whose crops are infected.
To Prevent Depredations
The alfalfa leaf weevil, an introduced
European insect. is now causing great
damage to lucerne in Salt Lake County.
The insect spreads rapidly in the weevii
or adult stage, but causes the most in
jury when in the younger stages by
feeding on the leaves. buds and flowers.
Eggs are laid on alfalfa in April and
May, the larvae or worms becoming full
grown in the latter part Of June and
throughout July. spinning lace-like CO.
coon, from which later issues the small
brown hard-shelled weeyil. This weevil
nlOeruhtcs tufoukh eno "AnseA ~ "AJ
sheltered place; ditch banks. stacks. al
falfa plants. weeds. etc.
The first crop should bs cut as early
as possible. The ground disked and
crossdisked as soon as the hay is off and
then gone over with leveller in the
same way. These operations will kill
large percentage of the young worms.
Then force the second crop as rapidly as
possible aud repeat the disking and
levelling.
Clean up all ditch banks. fence rows.
old stack grounds and rubbish early in
the fall by burning.
Ship no hay out Of infested region.