Show CONTROL OF THE ALFALFA WEEVIL D By Geo Ceo E. E King As Ast t. t Entomologist Utah Experiment Station Since the unfortunate introduction of the Alfalfa Alfafa Weevil Into this state many ninny experiments have been conducted conducted con con- ducted aimed at control From the first extermination was considered impossible Of the more simple and practical control measUres measures measures meas meas- ures we sum Bum up Irrigation cultivation cultivation cultivation and spraying early spring irrigation with muddy muddy mud mud- dy water has proved very beneficial where It has been tried A thin layer laer of mud when deposited over oyer the field serves servos to puddle dle In the hibernating adults a Tho The same samo effect doubtless can oan be bo produced where sediment can no not be flooded over the fields provided the irrigation with clear water has been preceded ded by a thorough tearing up of at the tho ground by spring cultivation Such an operation operation oper oper- I finds the weevil in cracks and under clods BO so that when these slack alack the same In la follows Cultural control consist of rene ane or spring the fields as earl early in the spring as possible This not only disturbs the adults but stimulates a better alfalfa growth A good method is to cultivate cultivate cultivate vate singly from each of ot two directions directions at right angles and follow this operation by singly or lapped harrowing harrowing harrow harrow- ing to level the land and pulverize the clods The first crop of ha hay should be cut cutas cutas cutas as soon boon as weevil attack is noticed and the land cleared as soon as ble A good drag drawn over the field sufficiently to create a dust lust mulch and reduce all green alfalfa shoots assures a vigorous growth for forthe forthe forthe the second crop of ot hay Dragging destroys the weevil b by 1 1 crushing the larvae and pupae 2 direct exposure exposure ex ex- to the sun kills them 3 3 they find no food 4 all shelter is removed To date late spraying to destroy the weevil has hat not beco become e universal y yet 1 this method has proved very success success- ful tuh As an early spring spray water has proved most successful If It the work is delayed until the theal al alfalfa fal fa li has as con considerable growth of ot lead has given equal re- re spraying is less desirable on account of ot more being required to cover the larger growth Spraying the stubble after aCter the first crop of hay has been been removed has has' been successful sue suc especially where many larvae are still active but this perhaps should not eliminate the drag and dust blat mulch |