466 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. IV, 



The young larvae often feed in the stems for a considerable 

 time, (Plate XXXII, fig. 9), some even passing the second molt 

 there. Later they crawl out and up the stem, concealing 

 themselves in the growing leaf -buds where they feed extensively 

 and effectually stop the growth of the plant. When nearly full 

 grown many feed entirely unprotected on the leaves. At this 

 time the plants in a severely infested region become practically 

 defoliated. The larvae have the characteristic curled position 

 when feeding and like others of this genus drop to the ground 

 when disturbed. 



The first stage is passed in five to eight days; the second in 

 twelve to twenty, third in twelve to twenty-five, and the fourth 

 in one to twelve days. 



When full grown they go to or near to the ground and spin 

 their cocoon in a curled leaf or among the debris on the ground. 

 Some even go to other plants nearby and spin up. From 24 

 to 48 hours after making the cocoon they change to the pupal 

 stage and remain in this for six to fourteen days before emerging 

 as adults. The adult beetle usually spends one or more days 

 in the cocoon before cutting its way out. The cocoon is not 

 usually eaten, only a large enough place to allow the adult to 

 escape being made. The length of life of the adult varies from 

 ten to fourteen months, and some may live over until the second 

 year. I had one female from a lot of eggs hatched in May, 

 1909, that lived until May 11, 1911. She was mated with one 

 of the same lot, with a son and with a grandson (bred in cap- 

 tivity the winter of 1910-11) and each time laid eggs which 

 were fertile. She laid at least 312 eggs. 



The greatest period of emergence is three to four weeks after 

 the first beetles appear from the eggs laid that year. After 

 July or August the weevils feed but little, but up to that time 

 they cause considerable damage by gnawing the parenchyma 

 of the alfalfa and clover stalks. 



We have bred the weevil from the following food-plants: 

 Medicago saliva, M. lupulina, Melilotus alba, M. officinalis, 

 Trifolium pratense, T. re pens, T. hybridium, and T. incarnatum. 

 I have several times found them hibernating under leaves of 

 Astragalus utahensis. Injuries to wheat and potatoes have 

 been reported but I have not observed them. I have, however, 

 repeatedly seen the adults feeding on ripe strawberries. 



