INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CLOVER AND ALFALFA 



195 



Africa, where it is common but never very seriously injurious. It 

 was first noticed in America near Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1904, and 

 has been increasing and spreading until it now occupies an area of 

 fully 100 square miles around Salt Lake City. The beetles are from 

 one-eighth to three-sixteenth inch long, dark brown, marked with 

 black and gray hairs which gives them a mottled appearance as 

 shown in Fig. 165. These hairs or scales are gradually rubbed 



LI.FL HIS FDHY CHART 



or 

 ALFALFA LEAF- WEEVIL 



Chart showing the life hUtorv of the Alfalfa Wee 



FIQ. 163. Chart showing the life history otf the Alfalfa Weevil. (From H. R. 

 Hagan, Utah Agr. Expt. Sta. Circular 31. 



off, so that in spring many individuals are entirely black with 

 small grayish spots. 



Life History. The beetles seek shelter for hibernation before 

 frost in the autumn, either in the crowns of the alfalfa plants, 

 or under thick grass, weeds, rubbish, leaves, or in hay or straw 

 stacks. Often they winter in barns where the hay is stored, the 

 floors of which are often found covered with the beetles in 

 winter and spring. It is estimated that fully 80 per cent of the 

 weevils survive the winter in Utah. In the spring the beetles 

 emerge and attack the young alfalfa plants as soon as there is 

 sufficient food for them, usually late in March. The females 

 commence laying eggs in early April and continue oviposition 

 until early July. In early spring while the plants are small the 



