6 



CEREAL AND FORAGE INSECTS. 



tion during a train wait. These larvae (fig. 2) were eating in the 

 bases of the florets, beneath the surface of the head (fig. 3, b), and 

 moved rapidly out of sight when disturbed. About 25 per cent of 

 the heads examined were infested. Observed but one larva in each 



head. Some twenty or twenty-five heads 

 were brought to Washington to rear the 

 larvae. 



"May 25. The larvae have left the heads 

 and spun coarse-meshed cocoons under the 

 muslin that covers the jar in which they 

 had been placed (fig. 4). 



"On June 1 five adult beetles were 

 found emerged from this material, and a 

 sixth was nearly ready to leave the co- 

 coon. The cocoons from which the five emerged have entirely 

 disappeared." 



On June 6 Mr. Ainslie, together with Mr. A. N. Caudell, found red 

 clover heads, gathered from beside the electric-car line near Chevy 

 Chase circle, north of Washington, at the District line, infested with 

 larvae and cocoons of Phytonomus. The beetle was quite common, 

 perhaps 20 per cent of the heads being infested by larvae. The 



Fig. 2.— The lesser clover-leaf weevil 

 (Phytonomus nigrirostris): Larva, 

 much enlarged. Natural length in- 

 dicated by line under figure. Head 

 and cervical shield, greatly enlarged, 

 at left. (Original.) 



Fig. 3. — a, Clover head showing cocoon of the lesser clover-leaf weevil and leaf showing holes eaten by 

 the larvae; b, clover head attacked by the lesser clover-leaf weevil (Phytonomus nigrirostris) and leaf 

 eaten by the clover-leaf weevil (P. punctatus). (Original.) 



cocoons (see fig. 4) were generally spun among the now nearly full- 

 blooming heads (fig. 3, a), although one was found on a clover leaf 

 by Mr. Caudell. One adult of a green color was taken, those that 

 had previously been reared being brown with green lines on the thorax. 

 It now became necessary for Mr. Ainslie to leave for an indefinite 

 period and Mr, Caudell took temporary charge of the investigation. 



