The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-11-26
In this department we pub
lish matter on Farming that is
adapted to local conditions.
Farmers are especially invited
to contribute articles or send in
questions for it.
ALFALFA wEEvIL
Best Methods For Graduating This
Evil Pest


present the contents of bulletin is,
sued by Prof. &. G. Titus of the Utah
Agricultural college on the best meth.
DDS to adopt for destroying the alfal-
fa weevil: l'
The alfalfa leaf weevil (phytono.
mus murinus Fab.) is European In.
sect, which has caused more or less
damage to the alfalfa crop in Europe
over considerable periods Of years
In some places the injury has beer
SO severe that 1t has practically stop
ped the growing of alfalfa for num-
Der Of years. So far as we at present
know it occurs In no part Of the Uni
ted States except Salt Lake County
Utah. It's advent into our state is OF
the utmost Importance, since 1t is a
pest which not only feeds upon al
falfa, but upon sweet clover, yellow
clover and red clover. Though red
clover Is not at present largely grown
in the state, 1t is used In number
OF orchards, and thus would serve as
a spreading place for the weevil to the
alfalfa fields.
The earliest report of damage by
this insect In the state OF Utah was
in the spring Of 1904 on farm on
the east side of Salt Lake City Sew
eral acres In one field were at that
time seriously injured, the first crop
being about half lost and the second
crop practically destroyed. While this
was evidently the first serious loss, 1t
should be considered that it must
have taken several years for the in
sect to multiply in sufficient num-
bers to cause such an appreciable in
jury to the crop.
Since the first report in 1904, the
Insect has been gradually but slowly
spreading, until 1908. Last year
there was a very large number OF the
weevils developed, and they spread
the past year, over a large and ex-
tensive new territory. The principal
means of distribution Of the insect
is in the weevil or fullgrown stage,
when they pass from field to field by
walking; and at certain times In the
fall and spring, distribute themselves
to a considerable distance by flying.
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 longer
before changing to the weevil stage.
The greatest amount of injury Is
caused during the younger stages of
the insect. The eggs are laid by the
full grown weevils early in the spring,
principally in April and May. The
eggs are laid by the full grown wee
wills early in the spring, principally
in April and May. The eggs are plac-
cd In various parts of the plants. but
principally In the sheath, from which
the younger leaves and buds are
growing. They hatch In from six to
nine days, the young worm being
pale yellowish in color. They at first
feed concealed In the developing
leaves, buds and even flowers; as
they. grow older they work their way
to the larger leaves and completely
defoliate the plants. The early in
Jury stunts the plant, causing 1t to
branch out. Serious injury in the
neld appears at distance like frost:
but closer examination will show
thousands Of the young worms feed
ing upon the plants. When the worm
Is full grown 1t Is green, about the
color of the alfalfa leaves, but has ,
white stripe down Its back. It is
over a quarter of an inch long. This
1uli grown larva drops to the ground
and spins loose lace like cocoon in
which 1t later turns into the weevil.
From two to three weeks after this
cocoon is formed, the fully developed
insect makes its way out, crawls up
the stem Of the alfalfa and begins
feeding The weevil Is at first light
brown In color. with several lighter
lines running lengthwise on It's back
1t has hard wing covers and a dis
inct beak provided with biting mouth
warts. The adult darkens somewhat
With age, and in the spring some Of
ne males appear to be almost black.
me males are smaller than the fe-
males, the largest females not meas
iring one-fourth of an inch in length.
The weevils do little damage at
his time OF the year middle and the
ate summer. Early in the fall the
veevils begin leaving the fields and
spreading to new territory, flying or
In apparently all directions.
3efore frost comes, they seek shelter
'ither in the crowns OF the alfalfa
,lants, close to the surface Of the
under leaves; In weeds and
ubbish along ditch banks; in hay or
traw stacks; or any wellshelteredi n
pot. The weevil lives over winter
hus sheltered. coming out early in
he spring to lay the eggs for a new ;
Where the infestation|
) at all heavy, which is especially ,
rue after the second year of the II
resence Of the weevil in the field, /,
be first crop of alfalfa is injured 4
rom one-half to three-fourths, and II
his year there are many fields |
here there are not 500 pounds Of
God hay hay to the acre. The fact /
hat the worms are not full grown /
hen the first crop is cut. causes
be loss to the second cutting. The Ie
Dung worms are jolted off the 4
lants, work their way back to the Z
hubble and feed on every sign of II
I'D and leaf that appears, thus keep a
lg the second crop from starting I'M d
! they are fully grown, and have
opped feeding. II
Remedies
At the uresant ffyno we knaw ~ u