Feb. 10, 1919 Life History of Parasites of Brtichophagus funebris 1 69 



averaged 27.9 days in that stage. The longest pupal period observed 

 was 45 days and the shortest was 8 days. These observations were 

 made in the laboratory under natural temperatures. It is very probable 

 that under the most favorable field conditions the pupal period may 

 require even less time than the minimum period recorded. 



ADULT 



Emergence. — ^The adult (PI. 22, A), upon emerging from the pupal skin, 

 finds itself surrounded by the thin seed wall and within the alfalfa seed 

 pod. It proceeds at once to gnaw a small irregular opening through the 

 seed in which the host has been destroyed, then through the seed pod, 

 and thereupon escapes. 



ReIvATive proportion of sexes. — Both sexes of this species seem to be 

 well represented in all of the localities from which specimens were reared. 

 A count made of 859 adults showed 121 to be males and 738 females, or a 

 ratio of i to 6.92. 



AduIvT variation. — Some adults of this species vary from the true type 

 in that they show a stigmal cloud in the forewing. In a few individuals 

 this clouded area was very conspicuous. 



SEASONAL HISTORY 



Observations show that about 30 days, under very favorable conditions, 

 are required for the complete development of a single generation and that 

 in alfalfa seed fields of Arizona and southern California there may be as 

 many as three generations in a single season. Other individuals sub- 

 jected to different local conditions may require an entire season for their 

 development. 



PARASITIC IMPORTANCE 



This species appears to be a parasite of considerable economic impor- 

 tance in helping to reduce the ravages of Bruchophagiis funebris in alfalfa 

 seed throughout the western Arizona seed-gromng districts. It is appar- 

 ently not present in sufficient numbers throughout the California, Idaho, 

 and Utah seed-growing sections to be of value in reducing the destructive 

 work of the seed chalcis-fly. 



LIODONTOMERUS SECUNDUS GAHAN 



Ltodontomerus secundus was first collected by the writer on September 5 

 1 91 4, at Albany, Oregon, where it was found ovipositing in the green ovaries 

 of florets on red-clover heads. On September 1 6 the writer reared specimens 

 from red-clover seeds infested by Brtcchophagus funebris at Caldwell, Idaho; 

 and on September 23 it was reared from infested red-clover seeds taken 

 at Albany, Oreg. Microscopic examination of the seeds showed that 

 this species was parasitic upon the larvae of B. funebris. It was also pres- 

 ent among chalcids reared from red clover in 1915 at Elk Point, South 

 Dakota, by C. N. Ainslie. 



