186 



THE VETCH CROP. 



are often distinctly distorted, and on opening them numbers 

 of maggots are found concealed in and amongst the 

 calyces or cups of the flowers, where they eat into the 

 base, and entirely consume the incipient pod. These little 

 larvae are of an orange colour, tapering to the head, and 

 blunt at the tail. In all probability they are the offspring 

 of some species of Cecidomyia allied to the wheat-midge. 

 Vetches are also' seriously injured by the maggots of a 

 little weevil the Apion pomonce " the vetch or tare 

 weevil." These insects are found, early in the season, 

 on the common white-thorn, and are met with abundantly 

 until the autumn on heaths, fir-trees, and oaks. They 

 inhabit the hedges, and are always at hand, ready to 



1. Distorted flower-head of V. sativa infested by the "weevil." 2. Seed-pod, showing 

 injuries inflicted by it. 3 and 4. " Weevil' A. 2)omonceua.t. size and magnified. 



visit any suitable crops sown in our fields. In July and 

 August, when the vetch crop has seeded, their presence 



