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 nd lnstar 
3 rd Instar 
4 th Instar 
Fig. 8.— Diagram showing average comparative amounts of clover 
foliage consumed by larvse 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 
