AMERICAN CLOVER-SEED MIDGE. 
27 
when far more diluted than in the above proportions, I do not know, 
but it might be expected that an exceedingly weak solution would kill 
the maggots, and it would be well worth while to experiment as to 
what would be, at the same time, a safe strength for the seed. 
Where a district is infested, the only plan known of getting the 
infestation under is either to leave off Clover-growing for a while, or 
to cut the crop whilst the flowering heads are still in an early condition. 
Thus it may be taken whilst the maggots in the heads are still so 
young that they will die for want of the supply of food that the grow¬ 
ing seed would have furnished before they reach maturity, and condi¬ 
tion for full development. 
Where infested Clover ley can be broken up towards spring, when 
the maggots are turning to the chrysalis state, this would destroy 
many of them. Early in the winter, or in the autumn, it would kill 
some that were buried down too deeply for the gnat midges to come up 
through the ground after development, but would probably only 
temporarily disturb many of them which were still quite able to re¬ 
bury themselves. 
As it is very possible that the above infestation in Clover heads 
may be confused with that of the Clover Pear-shaped Weevils (Apions), 
of which the little whitish maggots are also very injurious to the 
forming seed, I add the figure of this weevil beetle in its different 
6, 7, Apion apricans; 2—5, maggot and pupa ; 8, 9, A. assimile ; all nat. size 
and magnified ; 1, maggot feeding, magnified. 
stages. It will thus be seen that the two kinds of minute seed-feeding 
maggots, although about the same size, may be easily distinguished 
by the beetle maggot having a distinct dark head, as well as by being 
commonly of a much paler tint than the various shades of orange- 
pink or red of the midge maggots. 
