Life History.

The perfect insect—Sitona lineata (Nos. 3 and 4)—is about four lines, or the third of an inch in length, rather narrow in shape. It is of an earthy colour, with light stripes or lines down its back. The head is dark coloured. The wings are large. Sitona crinita (Nos. 3 and 4) is hardly so large as the Sitona lineata, and is of a somewhat lighter colour, and without any stripes or lines, but has hairs or bristles on its body.

When disturbed these insects get on to the ground, either by falling or jumping, and remain perfectly still. Being similar in colour to the earth it is difficult to detect them. The eggs are white and numerous. The larvæ are found at the roots of clover plants from October until March, and of peas towards the end of May, and change to pupæ in the ground during June. The larvæ are nearly a quarter of an inch long, white, without legs, and having strong jaws.