THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 267 



THE CLOVER SEED CHALCIS. 



Bruchophagus funebris How. (Family Em-ytomidse). 

 (Fig. 265.) 



General Appearance. — From the fact that this insect works within 

 a clover seed it must be very small in size. The adults are black with 

 dark brown eyes and light ])rown feet. The eggs are slightly elongated 

 with a long, slender pedicle and polished white. The larvffi are white 

 and just large enough to fill the empty shells of the clover seeds. The 

 pup« are first white, afterwards changing to brown. The entire life 

 cycle from the egg until the adult emerges is spent within the seeds, 

 the contents of which are completely devoured by the larvce. However, 

 occasionally a larva may work upon several different seeds. 



Fig. 265. — The clover-seed chalcis, Bru- 

 chophagus funebris How. Adult female 

 greatly enlarged. (After Webster.) 



Life History. — The winter is spent in the seeds either as larvaj or 

 pupa3. About blooming season the adults emerge and begin egg-laying. 

 The eggs are inserted within the forming seeds by the ovipositor. 

 There are probably several generations each year. 



Distribution. — Although this insect is reported as existing in the 

 State, it is difficult to give the exact areas infested. It is liable to be 

 met with in any section where clover and alfalfa seed are extensively 

 raised. Due to the small size the pest may exist for some time in a 

 locality without being discovered. It is now known to occur in the 

 central and southern parts. 



Food Plants. — So far the chalcis has been reported as working upon 

 the seeds of red and crimson clover and alfalfa. The seeds are either 

 entirely eaten out or rendered worthless and in both cases are usually 

 blown out with the chaff, so that the amount of damage will pass for 

 years unobserved. 



Control. — So far this pest has received little or no attention^ — there 

 being no requests for help, but in spite of this, great damage is being 

 done. This is unfortunate, as control measures are difficult and poorly 

 worked out. Pasturing the fields or destroying all clover and alfalfa 

 heads in the winter, as well as the destruction of the straw after thresh- 

 ing, are check measures well worth adopting. 



^An expert of the Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agrcl., is now working 

 upon this insect in California. 



