45 



we are indebted to the unceasing vigilance of tkese tiny insect friends for the comparative 

 rarity of this insect pest. 



THE CLOVER-LEAF MIBG^—Cecidcmiyia trifolii. 



This is a European insect which has been recently discovered in this country. It- 

 has been studied at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, and reported on by 

 Prof. Comstock. Although we are not aware of its occurrence as yet in Canada, we 

 submit a brief sketch of its history condensed from the repoii: of the entomologist at 

 Washington. 



It attacks the leaf of the clover, and in 

 fig. 17 we have represented the folded leaves con- 

 taining the larvse, a partially-opened leaf-case 

 sho\ving the cocoons attached to the leaf, and the 

 larva and female midge both enlarged. 



The fly so closely resembles the clover seed 

 midge that it can scarcely be distinguished from 

 it excepting by critical examination ; it is a little 

 smaller in size, and the female has two joints less 

 in her antennje. It attacks both thfe red and 

 white clover. 



About the middle of June is the time when the larva is found ; it folds the leaflets 

 together upon the mid-rib so that the two edges almost coincide. The under side of the 

 folded leaves turn yellow or brownish, and upon opening them they are found to contain 

 from one to twenty whitish or pale orange-coloured larvae, much like those of the clover 

 seed midge, but somewhat smaller and paler in colour, with the whole surface of the body 

 coarsely granulated. Within the folds the larvje change to chrysalids, enclosed in delicate 

 white oval cocoons fastened to the sides of the leaf. The enclosed chrysalis is of a pale 

 orange colour, with a median ventral stripe of a darker shade. 



This insect is not yet reported as occurring in any other locality than Washington ;. 

 should it much extend its operations and become generally common, or even abundant, 

 it is not likely, from the nature of the injury it causes, ever to become a serious injury 

 to the clover crop. It has never been know^n to injure clover to any serious extent in 

 Europe. 



THE CLOYEK HAY WORM— ^sopia costalis. 



This pretty little moth, which is represented of natural size in fig. 18 at No. 5, with 

 its wings expanded (No. 6 wings closed), is fre- 

 quently seen during the summer months, often 

 finding its way into our dwellings. It is not 

 active during the middle of the day unless in very 

 dull and cloudy weather, but towards evening it 

 is on the wing, and then may often be met with 

 in numbers, flitting around in the neighbourhood 

 of clover stacks. When its wings are spread it 

 measures about eight-tenths of an inch across. 

 The fore wings are of a reddish or purplish-brown 

 hue, with a greyish tint over all and a silky gloss. 

 Along the front margin there are two large, bright 

 golden-yellow spots, dividing each wing into three 

 nearly equal parts ; the outer spot is the larger of 

 the two, and from each there extends a lilac- 

 coloured line back to the hind margin ; the hind- wings are lighter in colour, with two 

 pale, wavy, transverse lines ; both wings margined with deep orange and fringed with 

 golden-yellow; under surface paler, with the markings less distinct. In fig. 18 the 



*rig. 18. 



