The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1912-10-12
What Is The Alfalfa Weevil?

of the possible injury OF which
the pest is capable, A. l., Lovett
of the crop pest staff has brought
together the following facts re-
garding the nuisance.
The alfalfa weevil occurs in
Europe, Western Asia and North
ern Africa, but is not generally
considered n serious pest there.
It was first reported in the Unit
ed States near Salt Lake City in
1904, but had been introduced,
probably, some time before as IL
was then insufficient numbers to
injure the crop materially. The
manner of introduction is wholly
theoretical. The habits of the
weevil are such that it could have
come in the clothing or packs Of
immigrants. in the holes of nur-
sery stock, or any similar mater
ial.
In infected districts the pest is
proving a serious menace. 1t
seems capable of easily cutting
the yield materially by its depre-
dations, and later Of rendering
the crop entirely Improbable.
Even in well established fields
the crop is more or less delayed
and does not make the growth it
should. Alfalfa is without ques-
ton the favorite host plant.
There seems to be a slight pre-
ference in favor of the more
stocky, low-growing type. In
addition to alfalfa the weevil has
been observed to feed upon sweet
peas, Utah milk vetch. whito-
clover, red clover, alsike clover,
burr clover, yellow sweet clover,
black locust. etc.
f. M. Webster thus describes
the adult weevil: THE fully
developed alfalfa weevil is small
rather insignificant appearing
beetle, slightly under one.fourth
of an inch long, of a brown color.
mixed with gray and black hairs
arranged in indistinct spots and
stripes on the back. Rubbed in
diyiduals may be very dark verg-
ing of black.
+. G. Titus thus describes the
immature stages; The egg is
oval. rounded at the ends and
when first deposited lemon yellow
in color. Three Of them laid end
to end would about reach across
an ordinary pin-head. When
first hatched the larvae is a little
larger in diameter than a coarse
thread and about as long across
as an ordinary pin-head. It is
pale. dirty yellow at first, with
head somewhat darker and with
very minute black spots showing
on the body.
With the third molt. or cast
ing Of the skin. the larvae becomes
still darker green. the line on
The back almost pure white, and
here is a faint indication of a
white line on either side. The
face shows the characteristic
black that so readily distinguish
IS this species from any other
arvae in the alfalfa fields. The
argest larvae are but a trihe
'ver a quarter of an inch long
nd one-third as wide.
Then full grown the larvae !
ither crawl or drop TO the ground !
nd spin a cocoon in the dead
caves or other rubbish present. 1
he cocoon is globular, composed
( a rather coarse network of -
ure white threads large enough \
Or the larvae to lie in a slightly
lryed position. The pupa or
esting stage is at first pale green g
s it advances toward the beetle 4
age it becomes darker and the \
gs and other parts of the body :,
re more readily recognized" ., .,
The remedial measures are as
IT in the experimental stage. "
he pest is sufficiently important
warrant careful watch being
ept for it and in case suspicious
dividuals are found they should
sent at once to the college for To
The weevil passes the winter o. q,
an adult, alternating in shell 60 60
red hooks about the field. 2.
atted grass in fence corners, an
bbish and clods and even the lis
owns of alfalfa plants furnish X
cellent quarters. In early hs
ling they emerge and spread pIi
er the fields, and commence sal
eding on the earlier buds and ssi Ssl
oots. About this time they al
gin pairing, and the female SuII onI
? ready to deposit eggs soon. sSt ssSt