1 66 Journal of Agricultural Research voI.xvi,No.6 



tomerus perplexus Gahan reared by the writer from Bruchophagus funebris 

 infesting alfalfa seeds at Yuma, Arizona. 



Liodontomerus perplexus was first reared by the writer from alfalfa seeds 

 collected at Yuma, Ariz., during August, 1912. It was again reared Sep- 

 tember 20, 1912, from El Centro, California, and from Chino, Cal., on 

 November 4, 191 2. Infested alfalfa seeds dissected and subjected to a 

 microscopic examination soon showed this species as being parasitic upon 

 Bruchophagus funebris. In the year 191 3 it was first reared on July 19 

 from Corcoran, Cal.; on July 25, from Glendale, Cal.; and in 1914 the 

 first rearing dates from new localities were July 24, Brawley, Cal., and 

 September 8, Red Bluff, Cal. On August 4 it was reared from B. funebris 

 infesting bur clover {Medicago hispida nigra) at Tulare, Cal. 



Examinations of various chalcids reared by different members of the 

 Bureau of Entomology from alfalfa seeds infested by Bruchophagus fune- 

 bris showed that Liodontomerus perplexus was reared by C. N. Ainslie at 

 Newell, South Dakota, November 15, 1913, and at Mitchell, S. Dak., 

 in 1914. A single specimen was labeled "Red Oak, Iowa." 



Liodontomerus perplexus was described by Mr. Gahan as a new species * 

 from the type specimens reared by the writer from Bruchophagus funebris 

 infesting alfalfa seeds at Yuma, Arizona, in August, 191 2. 



STAGES OF HOST SHOWING PARASITISM 



Liodontomerus perplexus is primarily parasitic upon the larva stages of 

 Bruchophagus funebris. It feeds externally upon its host and frequently 

 destroys the entire host larva with the exception of the head. In excep- 

 tional cases this parasite has been found to be parasitic upon the pupa 

 stage of B. funebris. Of 97 larvae of L. perplexus under observation 86 

 were parasitic upon the larva stage and 9 upon the pupa stage of their 

 host. A single specimen of this species was found to be a secondary para- 

 site and feeding upon the larva of a different species after the latter had 

 destroyed the host larva. 



HIBERNATION 



The larvae, which become fully developed late in the summer, or in the 

 fall, mostly hibernate until the following spring. This takes place within 

 the alfalfa seeds in which the host was attacked. While hibernation is 

 normal in the larva stage, occasional individuals have been observed to 

 hibernate in the pupa stage under the mild climatic conditions of the 

 Southwest. 



APPEARANCE IN THE FIELD 



This species does not seem to appear in the field in large numbers as 

 early in the season as might be expected. In southern California and 

 western Arizona it becomes active in April and slowly increases in numbers 

 throughout May. In August the abundance of adults is probably great- 

 est, while a few individuals may be found as late as November (Table I). 



'Gahan, A. B., op. cit., p. 159. 



