THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



243 



inch in length— the color being a very dark brown. The maggots 

 remain in moist or wet places, breathing water through spiracles at the 

 posterior end. The pnpa^ greatly resemble the larvas in shape and color 

 until nearly time to develop into the adults, when the wings and legs 

 begin to appear. The body segments are provided with sharp spines 

 which project backwards and by which they are able to wriggle to the 

 surface when ready to emerge. The broods overlap so that all stages 

 may be found. The insect probably hibernates in the larval forms 

 and pupate early in the spring, giving rise to the adults. These bring 

 forth young larvae, which become destructive early in the summer. 



B 



EJN 



Fig. 240. — The alfalfa crane-fly. A, esg ; B. larva; C, 

 pupa; D, head of larva. (Drawing by New-comer.) 



Distribution. — This insect is connnon in the central and northern 

 parts of the State. 



Food Plants. — The larvae feed entirely upon the roots of plants. 

 Undoubtedly a great variety are attacked. Serious damage has been 

 reported, due to its ravages in alfalfa and clover fields. 



Control. — The greatest amount of damage is usually done in fields 

 which have long been seeded to alfalfa or clover, where the breeding 

 has not been disturbed. Plowing and thorough cultivation will destrc/ 

 most of the larvee, which are either crushed or die for lack of sufficient 

 moisture. The females being wingOess are unable to migrate snffi- 



