892 CLOVER SEED CATERPILLAR 



This is an unwelcome fact, and explains the rapid distribution 

 of these insects. 



If we can bring the second, or seed crop of clover between the 

 two broods of the midge, the seed will be saved. Late pasturing 

 or early cutting of the first crop will accomplish this. If the 

 early crop be mowed a few days before timothy spikes appear, 

 it will kill the young maggots and will bring the second crop at 

 the desired time. Two parasites, Enrytoma funebris and Platy- 

 gaster error, destroy a great many of the maggots. Already Mr. 

 Howard finds Enrytoma funebris and Platygaster error engaged 

 in this good work. Success to them, and may their tribe increase. 



If seed is found stocked with the larvit it should be put 

 into a close vessel, as a jug or barrel, and bisulphide of carbon 

 added. This will kill all the larvte post haste. Even an open 

 barrel, water tight, may be used by placing a buffalo robe, or 

 other air-tight cover, over it. The fact that this insect is as far 

 West as Michigan, and possibly as far as Illinois, makes it a mat- 

 ter of general interest. In the future, clover seed will be valu- 

 able. 



Orapholitha interstinctana, Clem. Clover- head Cater- 

 pillar. 



Order Lepidoptera. Family Tortricidae. 



Comstock, Rept, Comm. Agr. 1880, p. 254. 



Clemens, Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil. 1860, p. 351. 



Grote, Bull. Buffalo Soc. Vol. I., p. 93. 

 These caterpillars are also quite widely distributed. Grote and 

 Comstock have taken them in Xew York, Grote in Pennsylva- 

 nia, Comstock in Washington, and I have found them quite com- 

 mon in Michigan. A single larva feeds on several and often all 

 the seeds of a single head of clover. Sometimes I would find 

 two larviv in a single head. The insect was quite common about 

 Lansing last summer — 1885. 



The larvae are dirty white, often greenish, 8mm long, and 

 spin white cocoons in the clover heads. The bodies bear many 

 white hairs. 



