6 BULLETIN 812, U. S. DEPAKTMENT OF AGKICULTUEB. 



This loss frequently varies from 50 to 400 pounds per acre as a 

 result of the destructive work of this pest. At an average price of 

 12 cents per pound the loss may then be estimated at from $6 to $48 

 per acre annually. While this loss in the aggregate is enormous, 

 there is frequently an additional loss which is caused by the planting 

 of uncleaned seed, resulting in a poor stand and the loss of time and 

 money in replanting. 



COMMON NAMES. 



Bruchophagus funebris is commonly known throughout the East- 

 ern States as the clover-seed chalcis-fly. Throughout the alfalfa 

 seed-growing districts, which are located almost entirely in the 

 Western States, this insect is better known as the alfalfa-seed chalcis 

 fly. Many farmers, however, frequently refer to its destructive work 

 as that of a seed weevil, while others simply refer to the injured seed 

 as " blighted seed," and apparently are not familiar with the cause 

 of this condition. 



MEANS OF DISPERSION. 



At the present time it is impossible to study in detail the means 

 by which B. funehHs became distributed over the different parts of 

 the United States, for the reason that it is now found in almost 

 every locality where either alfalfa or red-clover seeds are grown to 

 any extent. It is, in fact, very probable that this species is a native 

 of this country. 



The shipment of infested seed from one locality to another has, 

 without doubt, been a great factor in the dispersion of the alfalfa- 

 seed chalcis-fly, since one can visit seed houses and frequently find 

 hundreds of the adults present in the sacks of either clover or alfalfa 

 seed. 



Their spread probably was greatly aided also by the early settlers, 

 who traveled across the country with horses and wagons, taking with 

 them either clover or alfalfa hay bearing a few infested seed pods. 



Throughout the mountain States there frequently is found a chain 

 of small alfalfa patches along the mountain streams connecting the 

 larger irrigation valleys, where alfalfa plants, along the edges of 

 these fields, develop seed pods, and render conditions favorable for 

 the spread of this insect from one field to another. Infested seeds 

 and pods are undoubtedly washed down the mountain streams, enter 

 irrigation canals, and may become distributed with the water over 

 new fields many miles away. 



The wind is an important factor in the dispersion of the adults of 

 B. funebris over adjoining fields. The writer has frequently ob- 

 served large numbers of chalcis-flies being carried by the strong 

 summer breeze from one field to another. On one occasion more than 



