CLOVER-LEAF WEEVIL. 17 
The fungus mycelia ramify through the body of the larva, absorb 
the body fluids, but do not penetrate the tracheal or alimentary tract. 
A portion of the mycelium pushes out through the ventral side of the 
larva and forms rhizoids attaching the larva securely to its support. 
Other mycelial threads push out from other portions of the body and 
form a gray velvety coating over the body of the larva. On the tip of 
some of these branches is formed a spore which is projected forcibly 
into the air to infect other larvae with which it may come in contact. 
These are the temporary spores and germinate at once to infect new 
hosts. Resting spores are also formed and these develop in the body of 
the larva and are capable of retaining their virility- for a longer time. 
This disease is well distributed in the United States and attacks 
numerous other insects, among them the common cabbage worm 
(Pontia rapae L.), mosquitos, flies, ichneumon wasps, and certain 
leafhoppers. 
According to Riley the larva of a small beetle (Collops quadrimac- 
ulatus Fab.) feeds on the eggs of the clover-leaf weevil and one of 
the tiger-beetles (Cicindela repanda Dej.) probably preys on the 
larvae. In Europe several larval parasites are known but none have 
been recorded from this country. H. L. Parker, of the Bureau of Ento- 
mology, collected a clover-leaf weevil larva at Hagerstown, Md., April 
30, 1915, bearing a tachinid egg, but the adult was not reared therefrom. 
Poultry, especially turkeys and chickens, are fond of the larvae 
and beetles, and if given the opportunity will consume large numbers. 
Birds are valuable and important natural checks on this insect and 
according to the Bureau of Biological Survey (2, p. 7), 
The common or large clover-leaf weevil is the prey of 25 species of birds. The 
nighthawk, crow, red-headed woodpecker, purple martin, and crow blackbird have 
the best records for the destruction of adults, and the Savannah and vesper sparrows 
of the larvae. 
In literature we find the following birds listed as feeding on Hypera 
punctata: 
American crow Corvus brachyrhynchos. 
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 
Bob white Colinus virginianus. 
Catbird Dumetella carolinensis. 
Crow blackbird Quiscalus quiscula. 
Flicker Colaptes auratus. 
Horned lark Otocoris alpeslris flava. 
Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus. 
Meadowlark Stumella magna. 
Nighthawk Chordeiles virginianus. 
Purple martin Progne subis. 
Red-headed woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus. 
Robin Planesticus migratorius. 
Sparrows: 
English .Passer domesticus. 
Savannah Passerculus sandwichensis savanna. 
Vesper Pocecetes gramineus. 
Wood pewee Contopus virens. 
