368 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



THE CLOVER SEED CHALCIS 

 Bruchophagua funebria Howard (Family Eurytomidae) 



( Fig. 365 ) 



Description. —From the fact that this insect works within a clover 

 seed, it must be very small in size, being from T V to T V inch long. 

 The adults are black with dark brown eyes and light brown feet. The 

 eggs are polished white and slightly elongated, with a long, slender 

 pedicle at one end. The larva 1 are white and just large enough to fill 

 the empty shells of the seeds. The pupa 1 are first white, afterwards 



changing to bro w n. 

 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 larva 1 . Occasionally 

 a larva may work upon 

 several different seeds. 

 Life History. - The 

 winter is spent in the 

 seeds, either as larva' 

 or pupa 1 . About bloom- 

 ing season the adults 

 emerge and begin egg- 

 laying. The eggs are 

 inserted w i thin the 

 forming seeds by the 

 ovipositor. There are 

 probably several gen- 

 erations each year. 



Nature of Work. — 

 The larva 1 eat out the 

 inside of the seeds, in 

 which pupation takes 

 place. The a d u 1 1 s 

 emerge through circu- 

 lar holes cut in the ends or sides of the shell, as shown in Fig. 365. 

 The seeds are either entirely eaten out or rendered worthless and are 

 usually blown off with the chaff, so that damage may pass for years 

 unobserved. 



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

 parts of the State where clover and alfalfa seed are raised, due to its 

 small size the pest may exist for some time in a locality without being 

 discovered. 



Food Plants. — The clover seed chalcis has been reported as working 

 upon the seeds of red and crimson clover and alfalfa. 



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

 being no requests for help, but nevertheless great damage is being done. 



Fig. 365. — The clover seed chalcis, Bruchophagus 

 funebris Mow. Adults and alfalfa seeds from which 

 thej have issued. Enlarged four times. (Original) 



