The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1909-07-29
The NEW ALFALFA WEEv|L
Is Devastating the Utah Fields
and Completely Battles
determination.


Salt Lake Tribune: Prof. E. G. Tit
us. of the State Agricultural College,
is sending out bulletins warning the
farmers of the state against danger
Gus alfalfa insect which is said to be
creating a good deal of damage to the
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 stamped out the damage will be
greater.
The bulletin call attention to the
fact that of the thirty thousand acres
of lucrene in Salt Lake county, at
least $40 is now being injured by the
alfalfa leaf weevil. The insect comes
from Europe and in some years has
caused an injury so severe that it has
stopped the growing of the crops for a
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:
'sSince the first report in 1904, the
insect has been gradually but slowly
spreading until 1908. Last year there
was very large number of the wee-
wills developed and they spread over a
large and extensive new territory.
The principal means of distribution of
the insect is in the weevi 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 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 a small
amount of distribution since some of
these are so nearly full grown that
they do not need to feed longer before
changing TO the weevil stage.
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
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 weevil
or adult stage, but causes the most
injury 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
cocoon, from which later issues the
small, brown hard-Shelled weevil. This
weevil hibernates through the winter in
any sheltered place. ditch banks, stacks,
alfalfa plants. weeds, etc.
The first crop should be cut as early
as possible. The ground disked and
crossdisked as soon as the hay is off and
then gone over with a leveller in the
same way. These operations will kill
large percentage of the young worms.
Then force the second crop as rapidly
as possible and repeat the disking and
leveling.
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.