CLOVER STEM-BORER AS AN ALFALFA PEST. Ot 
same is true of the parasite Hupelmus allynii French. This species 
was reared by the senior author during August, 1912, as both a pri- 
mary and secondary parasite of Languria feeding upon the Languria 
larvee and also upon larve of the primary parasite (Habrocytus lan- 
guriae). The pupal stage of this Kupelmus was 10 days during the 
month of August. 
While the primary parasites pendoniecdisy are of considerable 
benefit in controlling this beetle, it must not be supposed that vigorous 
efforts on the part of the alfalfa grower are not necessary to effect 
the satisfactory subjection of the pest. 
CONTROL MEASURES. 
As early as 1879 Prof. Comstock (8, p. 200) gave us the key to the 
control of this species when he stated: 
It seems probable that where clover is regularly cut in early summer and again in 
fall this insect will not increase to any alarming extent; but where this is neglected, 
or where there is much waste clover, it may do considerable damage. 
In other words, Prof. Comstock recognized the fact that in case 
clover was cut when it was in a prime condition, a large number of 
the Languria borer larve within the clover stems would be destroyed. 
As neinis the control of this species upon red clover, Prof. BO 
som (16) writes as follows: 
Every year the farmer unknowingly kills off large numbers of these insects when 
he cuts his hay crop, whether he cuts it early or late, for in the latter part of June and 
throughout July in this latitude the great majority of the insects are inside the clover 
stems as larvee or pupze. The old beetles from the previous year are practicaliy gone 
by July 5, and the new beetles do not issue from the stems until about the Ist of 
August. If the cutting of the hay crop is neglected, however, and left far into July, 
much of the clover will be flat on the ground from the work of thisinsect. I had this 
tested on the university farm, and when the clover was cut, heard from the man who 
mowed the field certain appropriate comments upon the amount of clover which had 
lodged. 
If the red clover is cut when-it should be—to make the best fodder—only about three 
stems in a hundred of the new growth will show the insect. To find many larve 
in July and early August one has to search in uncut field clover or in clover growing 
wild on the border of a field or by the side of the road or the railroad track. The 
practice of mowing and destroying volunteer clover is well worth the little time that 
it takes. 
Owing to the habits of this insect, it has not been found possible 
to use any poison against it for purposes of control. The means at 
our disposal is a regulation of the general farm practices which, of 
course, takes into consideration the habits and life history of the 
insect so that the larve will be destroyed before completing their 
development either in the main body of alfalfa and clover fields or 
in neglected waste places. 
