American Clover-seed Midge. Cecidomyia leguminicola, Lintner. 
1, Clover-seed Midge; 2, maggot; 3, portion of female antenna, with minute 
hairs figured on lowest joint; 4, portion of male antenna; after Professor Riley; 
5, anchor process ; all magnified; after Dr. Lintner; 6, anchor process, figured 
from English specimens, also magnified, by Ed. Nat. length given in descriptions. 
So far as we are aware, the American Clover-seed Midge has only 
appeared lately in this country, but still we cannot tell with certainty 
how long it may have been here.* 
From the well-marked differences in form which I have found on 
examination of the anchor processes of “ red maggots ” found liyber- 
nating in the earth at Clover roots during the winter, I am aware that 
two kinds of Cecids are present, and very likely the maggots of both 
kinds may feed on the seed. Of these two kinds, however, I have 
only as yet been able to note the American Clover-seed Midge, the 
Cecidomyia leguminicola, Lintner, in its various conditions, that is, as 
present as a red maggot in the infested seed heads in summer, and in 
the ground in the winter, and also as the perfect Gnat Midge. 
The species is of comparatively recent observation even in America. 
An insect much resembling it in appearance, and very likely of this 
species, was observed about 1850; but it was not until the year 1879, 
after careful watching for a year or two, that the Gnat Midge was 
reared by Dr. J. A. Lintner, now State Entomologist of New York 
* Careful observation is requisite in identifying this attack. Besides the possi¬ 
bility of another kind of Cecidomyia attack being present in the heads, there are 
also small brilliantly red-coloured fly maggots^very much resembling the Cecidomyia 
maggots in shape, but distinguishable by having a very few longish hairs, especially 
at the tail; also by the absence of an anchor process, and by the presence of two 
lobes or wide processes at the tip of the tail, each of which are sharply bifid. 
Besides these is the long and well-known attack of the maggots of the Clover Pear- 
shaped Weevils to Clover seed in the heads. These are much the same size, and do 
mischief much in the same way as the Cecidomyia maggots, but may be dis¬ 
tinguished by being white, fleshy, and furnished with a brown head, armed 
with jaws. For figure see p. 27. 
