876 



HYLESINUS TRIFOLII. CLOVER ROOT BORER. 



This insect has long hccn known u-s a not very common insect 

 of Germany in Europe. Miiller, us shown by the name, re- 

 gartled it as an enemy of tlie clover, while Schmitt tliought that 

 it attacked sucli plants as were already enfeebled, and was not a 

 serious injury. In 1878 the beetle attacked this valuable plant 

 in northwestern New York, and the fact that it injured very se- 

 riously the clover of that region proves tliat Miiller was correct 

 and Schmi't wrong. 



Prof. Kiley investigated the habits of the insect, which he 

 found very destructive to the clover in Yates, Ontario and Seneca 

 counties. He described it under the name Ilylesinus trifolii, or 

 Clover-root liorer, and pointed out the fact that it is much like 

 one of our common bark beetles, Ilylesinus opaculus Lee, which 

 is often found just under th bark of ash and elm trees. 

 While much like the elm bark beetle, it is not only a different 

 species, but is placed in a different genus, — Hylastes by Leconte 

 and Horn, and by European Coleopterists. 



The family to which it belongs, Sco- 

 lytidiv, is represented by numerous 

 species, usually called bark beetles, 

 as they tunnel and sculpture various 

 evergreen and deciduous trees just 

 beneath the bark. It is often stated 

 that they attack enfeebled trees, 

 yet I have often found them indus- 

 trious and thriving on trees which 

 were in full strength and vigor. 



The insect is well rei)resented in 



Fig. 138, (I showing the aifeoted plant, 



J the grub or larva, c the pupa, and d 



the beetle or inuigo. The eggs are 



^ ,.,„ whitish oval, the larva white, with 



Fio. 138. ' 



yellow head. The length of larva is 3 m m (.l*^ of an inch) in 



