1011] Ilypera and Phytonomus in America 451 



next to the inner epidermis (Webster), only a few in a place. In 

 captivity they may lay eggs in the leaves, petioles, stems, and 

 even on the leaves. The eggs hatch in seven to eight days, the 

 larvae feeding in the flower buds and heads. The larval period 

 varies from seventeen to twenty days, "the larva molts twice, 

 the first instar occupying three to seven days, the second six 

 to seven days and the third about seven days" (Webster 1. c.) 

 The pupal stage is about six days, the pupa being formed in a 

 pure white rather closely netted cocoon that may be spun on the 

 leaves or near the ground or in flower heads. Food plants 

 reported in America are Trifolium pratense, T. medium, Medi- 

 cago saliva, Trifolium incarnatum, T. repots and T. hybridum. 

 It will also feed on Medicago lupulina. Webster (1909) gives 

 a very complete account of the earlier notices of the species in 

 America. Both Webster and Schwarz believe that the occur- 

 rence of the species into the Virginia region is due to a new- 

 introduction. Webster discusses the possibility of the species 

 having reached the southern coast through the influence of 

 the return ocean currents, floating in on debris. This 

 appears to me improbable; many persons have tried the effect 

 of salt water on insects and found that it is rare for them to 

 survive longer than a few hours, generally scarcely a few 

 minutes, the first wave killing them or so stupefying them that 

 the}' are soon lost. It is much more probable that this weevil 

 either entered this region by flight, passing a little further- 

 southward year by year or was carried there by means of 

 railroad trains. 



Houghton reports a spring flight of the species in April 

 in Delaware. 



Enemies: Webster has reported the only insects known to 

 feed on the species. From a specimen collected by Mr. Caudell 

 June 12 near Chevy Chase, on June 23, a small fly issued 

 (from a puparium formed in the cocoon of P. nigrirostris) , which 

 was determined by C. H. T. Townsend as Anisia species near 

 variabilis Coq. 



A larva taken from a clover head 26 June, 1908, "developed 

 into an adult hymenopterous parasite that emerged July 8, 

 1908". Determined by J. C. Crawford as Br aeon sp. 



The fungus disease (Entomophtlwra sphaerosperma Fres.) 

 attacks this species. For an account of its manner of attack 

 see under Hyp. punctata, p. 411. 



