NATURAL ENEMIES. 
31 
The invertebrate enemies are divided between native species and 
those imported from Italy, the native being largely predaceoiis and 
the foreign all parasitic. 
Besides these, there are two fungous enemies, both of which affect 
the insect to a greater or less degree. 
Invertebrates. 
Wlien a foreign species, like the alfalfa weevil, is introduced into a 
new country, some time is required for the native insects to find out 
that it is suitable for food, pre- 
cisely as man himself would 
under the same circumstances 
have to learn what products 
of a new country were edible. 
Besides, he would most likely 
cultivate a taste for some of 
these things which at first were 
distasteful to him. Thus it is 
that native insect foes of in- 
troduced species begin slowty 
at first to prey upon them. 
The following native pre- 
daceous insects have been found attackin 
weevil : 
PREDACEOUS ENEMIES. 
a b 
Fig. 9.— Nine-spotted lady-beetle (Coccinella 9-notata): 
a, Adult; b, l-:rva. Much enlarged. (From Chjt- 
tenden.) 
g and devouring the alfalfa 
A species of tiger-beetles, Cicindela imperfecta Lee, was in one 
instance observed to feed upon an alfalfa weevil larva in the field. 
Several other indi- 
viduals belonging 
to the same species 
when taken to the 
laboratory readily 
devoured larvae. 
Three species of 
lady-beetles, Coc- 
*cinella 9-notata, 
Hbst. {^g.^),Hip- 
fodamia spuria 
Lee, and H. con- 
vergens Guer. 
(fig. 10), in the larval stage attacked and devoured half-grown larvae 
of the alfalfa weevil in the fields. Larvae so taken were brought into 
the laboratory and adults reared, from wliich specific determina- 
tions were made. In case of H, sjmria the adult was als® observed 
devouring larvae in the field. 
The malachid beetle, Collops hipunctatus (fig. 11), was repeatedly 
observed feeding upon the weevil larvae in the fields. 
Fig. 10.— Convergent lady-beetle (Hippodamia convergens): a, Adult; b, 
pupa; c, larva. Enlarged. (From Chittenden.) 
