CLOVER-LEAF WEEVIL. 



13 



As has already been noted, the beetles begin to feed immediately 

 upon issuing in May and June and continue for a period of about 

 two weeks. They then become dormant and do not resume feeding 

 until early in September, coincident with the beginning of sexual 

 activity. During the early period of feeding the foliage is the 

 principal part of the clover plant eaten, but in late fall the beetles, 

 and especially the females, show an increasing tendency to feed upon 

 the stems and petioles. 



















































































I st Instar 



2^ Instar 



3 rd Instar 



4 ,h Instar 





Fig. 8. — Diagram showing average comparative amounts of clover 

 foliage consumed by larvee of the clover-leaf weevil in their different 

 instars. 



The life of the adult, therefore, is divided into two distinct feeding 

 periods, separated by one of inactivity during the months of July 

 and August. During the first active feeding period enough nourish- 

 ment is taken to tide the insect over midsummer when but little food 

 is available. Beetles deprived of foliage immediately after emergence 

 from the cocoon die within a few days. According to experiments 

 made by the writers, the average amount of clover foliage eaten by 

 individual beetles prior to the inactive summer period, during what 

 might appropriately be termed the predormant period, is 3.28 

 square inches, which is consumed in an average of 23.5 days. Beetles 

 issuing late in May become dormant late in June, while those emerging 



