The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-06-20
WATCH FOR ALFALFA WEEvIL

ne FARMERS OF southern Idaho
should be constantly on the watch TO
the presence of the alfalfa weevil, a
this pest has been spreading north
ward and westward from Utah. Las
year weevils were discovered through
out the Malad valley, and have beer
reported as far north as Rexburg
Undoubtedly many additional field.
will show the presence of these pests
this year. Since alfalfa is one of Ida
hos greatest assets every effort
should be put forth to protect thi.
crop.
Idaho is now a member of the West.
ern Quarantine Board. organized to
cooperate with the farmers to pre-.
vent the spread of pests and diseases
through interstate shipments. Alfalfa
weevils have been known to ride the
blind baggage in the straw used ir
shipping potatoes.
The -;~cinal means of distribution
INTO new territoru is by flight. Vol
unteer alfalfa along roadways. ditch.
banks and railroad tracks enables
weevils to spread perhaps so or Ct
mites in a season.
The alfalfa weevil a European in.
sect that was introduced into Utah
first observed about 1907, and is grad.
ually spreading over the districts
where alfalfa is grown. The insec,
leeds primarily on alfalfa. but is also
found feeding on sweet clover, and
rarely on other clovers, peas. beans
and several wild legumes. The Utah
station has found that Dr.: the frs,
year OF the presence of the .weevils
there is scarcely any damage notice.
able. The second year the alfalfa is
injured from one-quarter to three.
quarters of the first crop, and from
one-quarter to one-half OF the second
crop. The third year the alfalfa NAV
not grow to sufficient height to be
cut
The weevils begin to appear in the
fields at the first approach of spring
causing more or less damage by punc.
turing with their beaks the tende,
shoots of alfalfa. After feeding a few
days the female weevils make numer.
out punctures in the alfalfa stems
where they deposit their eggs. Each
female will Law from 600 to 300 eggs
during the sprine In few DAYS thu
larvae (worms) hatch from the COO.
and work their way up to the tende,
developing leaf buds. Feeding unor
those growing tips stops turtle,
growth of the leaf bud. thus checkine
the DEVELOPMENT of the alfalfa plant
AS the larvae develop they begin feed
ing upon the larger leaves often Ieay
ing. nothing but the skeleton outlin,
Robbing the alfalfa plant of its foIisg.
makes It impossible for the plant Il
secure food and energy from the sun
light and air. Thus it is imposs;hl.
for the first crop to mature until tn,
worms have become full grown anc
dropped to the ground. Here tn,
worms prepare to go into a RESTING
stage. They seek the. shelter Of +,
DRIP. curled alfalfa leaf or other loose
dead vegetation. which accumulate,
at the alfalfa chown. and spin thei,
eocoons. with which they transform
and at the end of ten to fourteen day,
emerge as fully formed weeviis read,
for further depredations on the al.
talta field. In late summer or early
fall these weevils seek the shelter o,
leaves and rubbish where thew can hi.
bernate over winter until spring.
The presence of the weevil may be
determined by the skeietonized ap.