June ; but these observations were all made in different parts of Europe. 

 In our own country, in Ohio, the adults are abroad and have been swept 

 from clover fields early in May ; but no swarming of the beetles has 

 been observed, though it is clear that they may migrate about that 

 time of the year. 



FOOD PLANTS. 



In Europe, besides red clover and alfalfa, the species is known to 

 attack Spartinum scopanum and Ononis matrix. In America it has so 

 far been especially destructive to red clover ( Tri- 

 folium pratensis) , yet with the recently increasing 

 interest in the growing of alfalfa (Medicago sativa ) 

 in the Northern States it may be expected to be- 

 come destructive to that crop also. Besides, it 

 is known to attack mammoth clover (Tri folium 

 medium) and alsike (T. hyiridum) . The fact 

 that it also injures the garden pea will be very 

 suggestive to growers of peas for canneries, and 

 indicates the undesirability of sowing peas early 

 in the season on ground that has recently been in 

 these clovers or lying adjacent to the infested 

 clover fields. Late-sown peas, however, would 

 probably not become sufficiently large to invite 

 attack until after the beetles had appeared and 

 gone. 



METHOD OF ATTACKING RED CLOVER. 



The insect's method of attack is well illustrated 

 by figure 4, showing a clover root split in two, 

 exposing the excavations. In cases of extreme 

 abundance, however, almost the entire main root, 

 except the bark, is eaten out, the substance being 

 displaced by excreta, and the dead top either 

 becomes detached of itself or is easiby broken off 

 if one attempts to pull up the plant. It will be 

 observed at once that until the roots have attained 

 sufficient dimensions it will be impossible for the 

 insect to attack them. Over the territorv where ^^A.^-cioyei root, showing 



. ... , work hi Hylastin.ua obscu- 



red clover is grown in this country the seed is sown ru*-siightiy enlarged 



either during late winter or spring; and during (original). 

 the first year the roots of the plants have not yet attained sufficient size 

 to accommodate the insects at the time the latter are, with the excep- 

 tion, perhaps, of a few belated individuals, abroad and depositing their 

 eggs; and thus the plants are almost, if not, indeed, entirely, exempt 

 from attack the first year. Hence it is not until the summer of the 

 .second year that they are destroyed. This has led European entomolo- 



