288 INSECTS INFESTING CLOVER AXD ALFALFA. 



beetles hibernate in their burrows. In the following Spring 

 they come forth from their ^^^inter quarters, and the female, 

 when about to deposit her eggs, first gnaws a large cavity in 

 the crown of the roots, and then deposits therein from four to 

 six pale whitish elliptical eggs, which hatch in about a week. 

 The young larva begins to bore downward into the root, pass- 

 ing between the outer skin and the heart. When fully grown, 

 it assumes the pupa form in the bottom of its burrow, and the 

 perfect beetle issues in the course of a week or so. 



I have found a grub in roots of alfalfa, but did nut succeed 

 in rearing the perfect insect. 



CHAPTER CXCI. 



The Clover-stem Borer. (Cal.) 



{Laiu/uria mozardi. — Latreille. ) 



Order, CoLEorTERA : Family, Erotylid.'E. 



[Living witliin the stems of clover (Fig. 270, Plate 3,) ; a 

 yellow six legged larva about three lines long, witli two curved 

 spines at the hind end of the body ; finally changing into a 

 blue-black beetle, having the tliorax yellowish-red.] 



The female l^eetle first gnaws a hole into the stem and then 

 deposits therein a single egg (Fig. 277. Plate 3,) of a yellowisli 

 color, rounded at each end and somewhat curved. The young 

 hirva (Fig. 278, Plate 3,) burrows downward, consuming the 

 central substance of tlie stem to a distance of six or eight 

 inches. It assumes tlir impa lorin (Fig. 27'.K Plate 3.) in the 

 lower end of its burrow, and tlie beetle (Fig. 280, Plate 3,) 

 which issues in the Autumn, deserts its burrow and, at the 

 aj)pin;i(li of cold weather, seeks some sheltered place in 

 which to pass the Winter. I have found this, or a closely 

 allied species, in alfalfa. 



KKMi;niKs. — Clean cultivation : see Xos. 20 and 100, A. 



