Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2009. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on Jan. 14, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science, [Department of] Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

The destructive nature of the clover seed chalcid has been known since the latter part of the 19th century. This jet-black Hymenoptera, often called the "chalcis-fly," destroys from 10 to 20 percent of the alfalfa seed in Utah each year. Damage as high as 85 percent has been reported.

One of the limiting factors associated with seed production of alfalfa and certain clovers is a small jet-black wasp commonly known as the clover seed chalcid, Bruchophagus gibbus (Boheman). In alfalfa seed producing areas this insect is often referred to as the alfalfa seed chalcid or the alfalfa seed chalcis-fly. In local areas of Utah, farmers often refer to this insect as simply "the fly."