TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

BULLETIN NO. 74.

uvsscrs MISTAKEN FOR THE MEXICAN
comm BOLL WEEVIL

 

SeptemAber, I904.

POSTOFFICE:
COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS.

1904
THE BRYAN EAGLE
BRYAN,TEXAS

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

OFFI OESRS

GOVERNING BOARD.

(BoARD OF DIREcToRs A. AND M. COLLEGE.)

M. SANSOM, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..A1varado

F. A. REICHART . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . _ , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..H0uston

K. K. LEGGETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abi1ene

GEO. T. JESTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ , . . ..Corsicana

W. J. CLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Austin

A. HAIDUSEK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ _ _ _ ,_LaGrange

L. D. AMSLER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Hempstead

A. J. BRowN. . . . .’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ _ _ _ _ _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Da11as

STATION OFFICERS.

DAVID F. HOUSTON, LL. D., President of the College.

JoHN A. CRAIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Dean and Director

H. H. HARRINGTON, M. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Chemist

M. FRANcIs, D. V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Veterinarian

F. S. JoIiNsToN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ..Agriculturist

E. J. KYLE, M. S , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Horticulturist

F. R. MARSHALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Anima1 Husbandry

E. DWIGHT SANDERSON, B, S . . . . . . . ..Consu1ting Entomologist

EDWARD C. GREEN, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Assistant Horticulturist

G. S. FRAPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Associate Chemist

R. L. BENNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . ..Cotton Specialist

O. M. BALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Botanist

J. G. HARRIsoN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bookkeeper

J. R. ROBERTSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Farn1 Superintendent

STATE SUB-STATIONS.

J. K. ROBERTsON, Superintendent . . . . . . . . ..Beevi11e, Bee County

W. S. HOTQHKIss, Superintendent . . . . . . ..Troupe, Smith County

NOTE.-—The main station is located on the grounds of the Agricult-
ural and Mechanical College, in Brazos County. The Postofiiee address
is COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS. Reports and bulletins are sent free
upon (application to the Director.

INSECTS IVIISTAKEN FOR THE MEXICAN .
COTTON BOLL WEEVILF‘

By E~ DWIGHT SANDERSON,
ENTOMOLOGIST.

Owing to the large number of insects mistaken for the Cotton Boll
Weevil sent us for determination, the following bulletin has been pre-
pared to describe the more common of these insects, their habits, and
how they may be distinguished from the Boll Weevil. ‘

THE COTTON BOLL WEEVIL DESCRIBED.
(Anthonomzts gmndis Boh.)

The Boll Weevil belongs to the family of Snout Beetles or Weevils
known technically as the Curculionidce. It is an elephant-shaped
beetle of the general appearance shown in Figure 1 and Fig. 13f,
enlarged about five times. It is quite variable in size, as shown in
Figure I,which illustrates a series natural size, some fully twice as
large as others, being from one-eighth to about one-fourth of an inch
long from the tip of the wing covers to the base of the snout. The
snout is about one-half the length of the body. The color is also
quite variable. Just after emerging the“ weevils are usually lighter
than when older. Many are light brown, others deep reddish-brown,
while some are decidedly grayish. Usually a narrow line along the mid-
dle of the thorax is lighter. In size and coloration the boll Weevil so

closely resem-

t" ._ bles so many
" other c o n1 -

n1 on weevils
that one un-
familiar with
it could not
I  , -,._ distinguishit.
 i ' ' A‘ There is,how-
 i ~ ever, a struc-
’   tural charac-

» ter W h i c h
Figure 2. Fore-legs 0f various weevils showing teeth on femora: H, 0f the Boll Vvith the 
Weevil, having two teeth on femora; b, Plum Gouger; r, C»'/1<I/rmI'vrv111<~‘ rrv/IHIIS,‘ of a Sinlple

d, B 1 W .~ _ .
a “mm” Sp hand lens,W1ll

 

t
l

* lam greatly indebted to Mr. E. A. Schwarz and Mr. F. H. Chittenden of the Bureau of Entomology
U. S. Department 0f Agriculture, and Maj. Thos. L. Casey, U. S. A., St. Louis, Mo., for the deter-
mination of most of the species.

4 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

enable anyone to determine the B011 Weevil in practically all cases. At
the tip of the fore femora or shanks (the basal segment of the fore legs)
are two small but distinct teeth as shown in Figure 2a. The inner tooth
is the larger and the smaller is hidden when the next segment of the
leg is folded back, so that the leg must be straightened out to see it.
All the other common species of weevils have either but one tooth in
this position or none at all, as shown in Figure 2.*

As the Boll Weevil feeds and breeds only on cotton, any insect
found working on any other plant is undoubtedly not the Boll Weevil,
though various other weevils are sometimes found on cotton.

WEEVILS FOUND IN STEMS OR TWIGS, UNDER BARK,
AND IN WOOD.

BLOODWEED OR HORSEWEED WEEVIL. (Lixus sylvizis Boh., L.
Zaesicollis, et a1.) During the winter a blackish weevil nearly half an
inch long is found very commonly in the hollow stems of the so-
called “Bloodweed” or “Horseweed” (Erigeron canadense Linn.) to-
gether with larvae and pupae. The weevils emerge in March and
April in large numbers and are very evident. They are from 3A to %
inch long, dark brownish black or shining black, the brownish tinge
being due to an irregular covering of soft, brown hairs. The beak is
about one-fourth the length of the body, short and stout. The wee-
vils lay their eggs in the stalks and the larvae burrow in the soft pith,
as shown in Figure 3. Several species of this genus have been sent
us, but principally L. sylvius; concerning the habits of the other species
we are not positive. Specimens have been received from throughout
that part of the State north and east of College Station. The species
was originally described from Pennsylvania.

THE NETTLE STALK VVEEVIL. (T ViCIZOIJGFiS texana Lec.) This
weevil is found in all stages in the stalk of the “Nettle” or “Spanish
Thistle” (Solarium rostratznn). The weevil is about one-fifth of an
inch long. rather rounded oblong in outline with the beak curved
under the body and reaching to between the fore legs. The color is a
solid gray due to a dense covering of gray scales over the black body.
The head, shoulders, scutellum and antennae are black. The fore-
femora are without teeth at tip. Larvae. pupae and adults are often
found in the dead nettle stalks in the winter. The round exit holes
marking where the weevils have left them can be observed on any
dead nettle stalks. This weevil is common throughout the cotton
growing area of Texas. A nearly allied species (Trichabaris trinotata)
bores in the stems of potatoes and is often a very serious pest, as is
another of the same genus (T. mucorea) which has been very injur-
ious by boring tobacco stems at Willis, Texas. T. texunm will bear
watching, therefore, for fear its taste might become accustomed to
some cultivated crop.

* See Revision of the Anthomini of North America, Wm. G. Dietz, M. D. Trans. Amer. Entomological

Society, Vol. XVIII, page 205. But three other species of A/zt/zouonzzav have the fore-femora bidentate
as far as described. Two of these,g:l/arl's Lec. and virgo Dietz are not known to occur in Texas, while
rufipennlls Lec. is uniformly smaller and is not common in Texas, no specimens of it having been
secured.

FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3.

Figure 1. The Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil (Ant/zorzomzzsgramizlv Boh.) Below a series one and
one-half natural size, showing variation in size; 06011’, a weevil seven times natural size.

Figure 3. The Blood Weed Weevil (Lixzl/s sy/ziius Boh.) At top, Blood Weed Weevil slightly
enlarged at right, and Boll Weevil at left; weevil in hollow stalk; below, larvae and pupa in stalk.

INSECTS MISTAKEN FOR THE BIEXICAN COTTON BOLL WEEVIL 5

THE WHITE PINE WEEVIL. (Pissodes strobi Peck.)
An oblong oval, rather narrow weevil, about one-quarter
of an inch long, of a’ dark chestnut-brown color, with
E two dots on the thorax, a dot at the anterior end of each
iii wing, and a short irregular cross band just back of the
 center of the wing covers, white or light yellowish, and

with the wing covers also variegated with some patches

FIGURE 5 _ 0f tawny yellow. It is frequently found under pine bark
Tvheeextlifflliifi or on pine logs. It deposits its eggs in the tips 0f the
lsiggwgt ‘qgngfg top shoots of young trees. The larvae mine in the wood
<(>fAlflt=éiurlglascilke_~ and pith of these terminals causing the shoots to wither
flYd-l and die and therefore becoming stunted and crooked.
This insect is common from Lake Superior and Maine to Florida and
Texas. It has been sent us mostly from East Texas where pine is

plentiful.

   

 

    

it!

ll 

    
  

THE PALES WEEVIL. (Hylobizas pales Hbst.) This is also a pine

‘pest. It is a “large dark chestnut-colored or black weevil three to

four-tenths (3 to 4-10) an inch long, sprinkled over more or less with
dots, whereof one on the middle of the outer side of the wing covers
is more bright, these dots being formed by fine, short, yellowish-gray
hairs. Quite common in May and June among pine trees, and in
millyards, and on piles of pine lumber; with its long cylindrical snout
perforating the bark and crowding an egg into the hole, the larva
from which, similar in its appearance to that of the White Pine Wee-
vil, burrows beneath the bark, loosening it from the wood.” (Pack-
ard.)

THE CoTToNwooD WEEVIL. (D0ryt01nus IHUCidZLS Say.) This
weevil is frequently taken from under the bark of cottonwood trees i11
winter and spring. Leconte and Horn quote Dr. C. V. Riley as
authority for its breeding in the blossoms of cottonwood quite rapidly.
It is shown in Figure 4, d, is about one-fifth (1-5) an inch long,
brown, flecked with black; snout straight, projecting forward, one-
half as long as body, fore-femora with a single very small tooth.
This species has been found in Canada, Kansas, and California. We
have also received what seems to be the same species from soil in
fields grown up near woods. Other species of this genus work on
willow. D. brevisetosus var. Csy. and D. rufus Say also occur here.

THE ELM-BORING SNoUT BEETLE. (Magdalis armicollis Say.) An i

elongate, black-sometimes brown or reddish-weevil, about one-
fourth (%) an inch long with slightly curved snout, somewhat over
one-third the length of the body, the fore femora with a single sharp
tooth. These beetles burrow just underneath the bark of dead and
dying elm limbs. Specimens have been received from Howe, Texas,
numerous on a window, March 22, 1904. The species has been re-
corded from Michigan, Illinois, and Kentucky.

6 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

THE SNoWY TREE CRIQKET. (Oecarztlzzas IIiUGZLS De G.) Upon ex-
amining a cotton stalk in
winter long irregular scars
will often be found on it. By
splitting open the stalk at
such points a row of elon-
gate, slightly curved, yellow-
ish eggs are found. These
have often been mistaken for
eggs of the Boll Weevil.
They are laid in cotton, all
sorts of Weeds, raspberry and
blackberry canes, and tender
fruit tree twigs, and to the
latter are often injurious. The
adult tree crickets are delicate
yellowish-green insects about
one-half (y) an inch long,
of the general appearance
shown in Figure 6. They are
commonly found on all sorts
of Weeds and trees. During
the day they are quiet, but at
night become active and the

_ males make a shrill call by a

stridulation of the Wings. The

adults feed partly on soft-
bodied insects, principally
plant, lice, so that they are

doubtless more beneficial

dIQICIBURE (YTT-hre _Sn]owy Taee ‘Cryiclketthat lteft,‘ male, than llljllflOllS lll th€ COttOII
grjtwig(shof/iiigicafilrorhnizgspghlélgubres?g, sencziiolriaofstlxf/ig field» as the eggs d0 no par-
showing eggs; r, egg greatly enlarged. (After Riley and ti¢u1ar harnL \Vhen  in

Lugger.) ' .

blackberry canes or fruit tree
twigs the twigs usually die beyond that point, in which case they
should be cut off and burned.

      
 

 iiiésatiiz\j\rtr A f}  .

  

THE PLUM VVEE\/'ILS.>1‘

Both the Plum Curculio and Plum Gouger do serious injury to
young plums Wherever grown in Texas. With the migration of the
Cotton Boll Weevil many people in localities Where it has not pre-
viously occurred have mistaken these two plum weevils for it, and
consequently We have had numerous reports in the daily press and
many specimens sent us of supposed Cotton Boll Weevils breeding in
plums. Most of this misunderstanding is due to a comparison of the
grubs or larvae Within the plums with those of the Boll Weevil. These
are very similar and difficult to distinguish away from the food plant.

"~‘For more detailed description of habits and methods of combating see Circular 6 of this office
which may be had on application.

mrmcqm > >13” E2 0* mmn: um: w m we. <<mm<:. MK 23mm :m2=m_ mim. ‘:5 €mm<zm m» 5m 1N3 n81? ©azkx€amvmb>n §~Rm\.\:§§.f. P 2:.»
1E3 ficwnczo Afi_s:~§\a~.\~xb.>,. §E2\\.\22.v .. m. m\~.<=1:.>.,, 3.55%.. R. 5m mEEQsQ $.23: ¢¢.=:.~:::\.< ~.,c:.,.&.~.m§>,,v .. m. 3m :30: émmn: <<$<= A@w.3§s§..,¢
mnaflabflfiv .. \. 3m Timm Iizmo <<$<= ANJQQZ~>4 .,<:..-..~.=.,.v.

INSECTS MISTAKEN FOR THE MEXICAN COTTON BOLL WEEVIL 7

But if the adult weevils are compared, those in plums are seen to be
quite different from the Cotton B011 Weevil, though the Plum Gouger
is nearly related to it and bears quite a close resemblance.

THE PLUM CURCULIO. (Conotrachelzts nenuphar Hbst.) Fig, 4, b.
The Plum Curculio is probably the most generally injurious of all
plum insects. It is a native insect and occurs commonly east of the
Rocky Mountains. The adult weevil is about one-fifth (1-5) an inch
in length, of a dark brown color, marked with spots of white, ochre-
yellow, and black. It may be readily distinguished from the Plum
Gouger and most other weevils by the two prominent black tubercles
or humps on the wing covers, one on either side of the median line;
behind these is a band of dull yellow and white. The wing-covers are
also prominently ridged lengthwise. When disturbed the Curculio
like most weevils, has the habit of drawing up its legs, bending its
snout on its breast, and feigning death or “stilling,” dropping to the

ground It is then very difiicult to distinguish from a bit of bark or

earth, particularly if lying upon them.

The Curculios hibernate over winter, emerge in the spring, and feed
somewhat on the tender terminals, then deposit their eggs in the
young plums, making a characteristic crescent-shaped mark on the
surface where each egg is inserted. The larvae feed within the plums
causing them to drop, when full grown enter the earth where they
change to pupae, which transform to adult weevils in midsummer;
But one brood occurs in a year.

THE PLUM GOUGER OR PLUM PIT ‘WEEVIL. (Coccotorzts prunicida
\Valsh.) Figure 7, b. This insect is common throughout the Miss~
issippi Valley. but seems to be injurious mostly west of the Mississippi.
It is a native insect, feeding on wild plums and doing worse injury to-
native varieties. The adult beetle may be readily distinguished from
the Curcuho by its lacking the humps or tubercles on the wing-covers.
It is about one-fourth (X) an inch long, with a rather long, curved
snout. The wing-covers are of a leaden-gray color, finely spotted
xvith brown and black, while the thorax and head are marked with
ochreous yellow. It is considerably larger than the Cotton Boll
\Veevil, is of a darker color, and the Boll Weevil has no yellow mark~
ings. v

The eggs are laid incavities hollowed out by the weevils and the
larvae bore into the pits of the plums, in which the pupal stage occurs,
and from which the weevils emerge through round holes. The injury
does not cause the fruit to drop. Frequently the weevils feed on the
plums, causing a gummy exudation.

Belonging to the same genus as the Plum Curculio is Conotraehelzls
naso Lec. Figure 7, c. This has elsewhere been bred from the fruit
of the Haw (Crataegus) and a correspondent states that he has reared
it from larvae in acorns of Post Oak. The weevil is nearly one-fourth
(Z) an inch long, blackish brown, thinly clothed with brownish hairs,
the wing-covers slightly ridged, and the fore-femora with an obtuse
tooth, the snout curved under. It was described from Georgia and Texas
and we have received it from various points, mostly in North Texas. It

quite closely resembles the Boll Weevil in size and general coloration,

8 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

but can be distinguished, as shown in the figure, by the wing covers
being flecked with small light brown and blackish spots.

Another species of this genus, Conotrachelus leucophwtus Fahr.,

‘breeds in the Careless Weed (Amaranthus) and is quite readily rec-

ognized by the prominent white markings, Figure 4, a. It is slightly
smaller than the last species, the snout is short and cylindrical, reach-
ing to between the base of the fore legs, all the femora have a single
tooth, the surface of the wing covers is in great part covered with
white hairs to within one-fourth of the tip, which is dark brown and
mottled. This species occurs in Texas and Mexico. We have fre-
quently found the weevils on corn and it is a not uncommon species.
It is recorded as feeding on beets in Colorado.

THE FALSE-INDIGO \VEEVIL. (Tychizas sordidus Lec.) Fig. 4,
One of the first weevils to appear in the spring in large numbers is
this one which breeds upon the seed pods of the False Indigo plant or
"Buckweed” (Baptism bralcteaita/ Ell). As this weed is very common
and has a striking flower, the weevils are readily noticed and have
caused much consternation due to their being mistaken for the Boll

‘Weevil. This little weevil is about three-sixteenths (3-16) an inch

long, with snout projecting downward, about one-third the length of
the body, of a rounded oval shape, usuallylight gray, due to the black
body being thickly covered with grayish scales, which form a lighter
line along the middle of the back, and when rubbed off or immersed
in water becoming black; femora without teeth. The weevils
lay their eggs in the seed pods as soon as the blossoms fall and the
larvae work in the seeds in a manner much similar to the Bean Weevil.
There seems to be but one brood in a year. The species occurs
throughout the greater part of the cotton area of the State and was
originally described from Illinois.

Another very small species of this genus, Tychizzs Sltl€fltllllt8 Csy.,
scarcely over one-twentieth (1-20) an inch long, and resembling the
above species in miniature has been sent us from Paint Rock, Texas,
where it was found abundant in prairie grass.

THE IRONWEED WVEEVIL. (Desmoris scapalis Lec.) In June
there appears on the so-called Ironweed (Grindellia squairrosa) a
weevil which in shape and color very closely resembles the Boll Wee-
vil, see Figure 4, e. It is three-sixteenths (3-16) to one-fourth (%)
an inch long, with beak half as long, of a dark reddish-brown color,
with the abdomen marked with broken whitish stripes; the femora
have no teeth, but are strongly clavate. The immature stages have
not been observed. The species was first described from Kansas and
has been sent us from North Texas.

THE SUNFLOWER WEEVIL (Smicronyx constrictus Say) Fig. 4, b.
Throughout the summer there is found on the sunflower a small gray-
ish to blackish weevil, about one-eighth (%.) an inch long, beak one-

 

Imcwm q. w; H? 0* mmn: n»? F. u we: <<mm<:. wx QBmw 55:2: m5? >~1N:~m.m 2. ~Q_.\:lw.:~.~<.=23 _:::<>,... F 5m TEE Q aim? Qéwiqewaz
\$.§:~.w~..\2v .. C 6.2::§.=\\r_\~>4 §=.,.:.. Km 25 fioioséfivoa <<$<= AU~Z>_RQ:Z>,. :22.<.R:.,; .. x. A>£~_>,..,£E=§?. w .\:22.2\\~...... x. 5m 232m M57 <<m¢, : A~\.\~._,\2K..~»4.u
§§~EL <12. 52m mam ucum 5 2.5.2 m5; 1m???

 

INSECTS MISTAKEN FOR THE MEXICAN COTTON BOLL WEEVIL 9

fourth length of body, held forward, the femora without teeth, the
body uniformly covered With gray scales Which rub off leaving it
more or less shining black. This species is very abundant. It was
originally described from Kansas and Missouri, and has been received
from many points in North Texas. l

A smaller species closely resembling the latter, but With snout
much shorter and stouter, and antennae more clubbed, is Macroflzop-
Z268 esiriaius Lec., which has been received from Battle, Texas, May
27, 1903. It has also been taken in California.

SUPPOSED BOLL WEEVILS FOUND ON THE COTTON
PLANT.

During the summer several insects are common on cotton squares
and are commonly mistaken for the Boll Weevil.

THE COW-PEA POD \VEE\'IL. (C/M6ZCOd6FI72M8 ceneus Boh.) Fig-

ure 7a. This is a shining black. stout, robust weevil, about three~

sixteenths (3-16) an inch long. It is often brownish-black and With
a slight metallic lustre; the body and Wing-covers are very closely and
deeply pitted, the fore-femora With a single tooth, snout one-third the
length of the body and bent under. It is common on cotton squares
and coWpeas, having been reared by Mr. Chittenden from the latter.
It may sometimes feed in the square but We have no good evidence
that it ever breeds on cotton, though it occasionally does considerable
injury as reported in Georgia this season. Being associated With the
Boll ‘Weevil, the injury in Texas is probably usually due to the latter.
We have received it from North and East Texas and Louisiana.

Notoxzrs calcamtzos Horn. Figure 8. This interesting little insect
is not a Weevil, though the large horn-like process extending forward
from the thorax over the head looks something like a snout at first
glance. Its general shape is well shown in the figure which is six
times natural size. The beetle is about three sixteenths (3-16) an
inch long, reddish-brown, covered With grayish scales and hairs, ex-
cept a broad band across the center and a narrow band across the tip
of the tying-covers and a small spot on the front of each Wing-cover; a
large flattened horn projects forward from the thorax over the head
which is bent down vertically, numerous erect hairs and bristles over
the entire body. This beetle is very common in and at the base of
cotton squares, and has been frequently reported as injuring them by
gnawing the stem just at the base of the square and causing it to
drop. We have not been able to confirm this report, but it seems
quite possible, though We doubt that the injury is serious. This and a
nearly allied species have been known to injure fruit by boring into it
in California, and Notoxzzis aneharago is recorded as injuring cherries
in Northern Michigan. Riley and Howard state that it feeds on cot-
ton flowers, probably on pollen (Insect Life, Vol. V, p. 197) so that
it is quite possible it may sometimes injure the squares.

10 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS

* THE SPOTTED CLICK BEETLE

COIHITIOH

color,

__ similar

FIGURE 9—The Spotted Click Beetle (Dras-
ierlzm e/egrlns) ; at left, larva enlarged six times;
b, beetle twice natural size; c, terminal segment
of larva greatly enlarged. (After Forbes)

FIGURE 10—The Cotton Sharpshooter- (Homalodisca tri-
guetra) a, female adult seen from above; same, side view;
c, venation of fore wing enlarged; d, antenna; e, section of
hind tibia;f, female genitalia, still more enlarged: g, serrations
of oyipositor, still more enlarged. (After Howard, U. S- Dept.
Agr

squares and blossoms,
probably feeds on the pollen and
nectar, but we are inclined to the
belief that its supposed injury is
much exaggerated. The larva of
this beetle is one of the most com-
mon “WireWorms,
drilling holes into seed corn soon
after it is planted and also injur-

ing other grains and vegetables.
The beetles are about one-third (Y3)
an inch long and of a rusty-brown
With black
shown in the illustration.
s p e c ie s (Monocrepeclius
vespertinus) is even more common
than the above and is often very
common.

(Drasterias elegans Fabr.) Fig. 9.
This little click beetle is a very
inhabitant of cotton

Where it

S)

so injurious by

markings as
A very

THE "SHARPsHooT1aR”
(Homalodisca triquetrca
Fabr.) Fig. IO. This
insect is well known to
most cotton planters and
is the supposed cause of
much injury by sucking
the stem of the square
and causing it to drop.
Opinion seems to differ
on this point however,

and lacking careful ob-i

servations, the exact
amount of injury is still
in doubt. The adults

are found very abundant
on sorghum, sunflowers
and bananas and more
commonly on cotton-
wood, sycamore, willow,
elm, hackberry, and va-
rious large weeds, prin-
cipally “Horse-Weed.’ ’
They sometimes lay
their eggs and the young
are often found on cot-
ton, but usually the eggs

IHGURE

PHGURE 12

Figure 8. 1V0t0.v1¢.¢ crl/(Tazuzl/ls‘, side and back view, five times natural size.

Figure 11. The Cotton Square Borer (Urullotcs 1/zv/z/11/.~“>,' a, butterfly; b, underwing; r, larva;

J, pupa; e, egg—all slightly enlarged. (After Howard & Chittenden, U. S. Dept. Agr,)

Figure 12. An Acorn Weevil (Bu/rl/li/Iltw‘ 11r!-\‘l?‘-'l-~‘l ,' side and back view.

INSECTS MISTAKEN FOR THE MEXICAN COTTON BOLL WEEVIL 11

are placed in the leaves or leaf stems or stalks of weeds or the
trees above mentioned. The adults lay close to the stem

and upon the slightest disturbance dodge to the other side,

so that they are not noticed unless looked for. They give off
quite regularly drops of liquid similar to that excreted by
plant lice. The adults are about one-half (%) an inch long, the head
reddish-brown, wing-covers smoky with a broad whitish band before
the middle and a red spot toward the tip, head and thorax orange un-
derneath. The species occurs throughout the Gulf States and has
been recorded on a number of other food plants. No practical means
of combating it have been attempted, but we are now making an in-
vestigation of its life and means of control.

LEAF BUGs. A number of species of common leaf bugs including
the so-called Cotton Stainer (Dysderczts suturellzes) and Largus
succinctus, are common upon cotton squares and bolls and are some-
times thought to be the Boll Weevil. The former is about one-half an
inch long, reddish or orange colored with black margins or markings,
while the latter is deep bluish with orange or red margins, and have
a sucking beak bent under the head between the legs. They
are sometimes injurious to cotton bolls.

Rhinclzites ceneus Boh. Fig. 4, c. This rather striking weevil has
been sent us from North Texas, where it was found on cotton flowers
and was supposed to be feeding on the Boll Worm, which is hardly
probable. It is a shining bronzed-black weevil, one-fourth (4) an
inch long, with snout one-third as long, held forward and downward,
broader at tip, the body with numerous coarse black hairs and the
femora without teeth. It is found throughout the Middle, Southern,
and \Vestern States to Colorado. A nearly allied species, R. bicolor,
is known to injure rose flowers, so that the occurrence of this species
on cotton flowers is not surprising. No particular injury by it has
been reported.

Tm: Corrox SQUARE-BORER (Ura/zoies meZinus Hubn.) Fig. 11,
Plate IV. The larva of this dainty little butterfly is a small, flattened,
oval, green caterpillar, with the head hardly visible above,and of a slug-
like appearance, which bores into the cotton squares and stalks. Often
one larva will destroy all the squares on a stalk knee-high. Its work
resembles that of the Boll Worm for which it is sometimes mistaken
as well as for the Boll Weevil. Another nearly related species,
Calycopszls Cwrops Fabr., has similar habits. The former species also
breeds on cowpeas, beans, hops and various other plants. It seems to

prefer cowpeas to cotton. Fortunately, these larvae are severely par- .

asitized so that but little injury occurs after June. In some localities
this insect seems to have been injurious for years, while elsewhere it
has but recently been noticed as injurious. All stages are shown in
the illustration. The butterflies are common in cotton fields and
along edges of thickets. On the upper surface they are slaty~black,
and at the tip of the hind wings is a black spot crowned With crimson
between the basis of the two short tails. Where the butterflies are
numerous in early spring and injury seems probable, we would sug-
gest that dusting or spraying with arsenicals be tried, as the young
larvae would naturally be poisoned as are those of the Boll Worm.

12 . TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS
THE ACORN waavrrs.

Late in the summer large numbers of weevils often fly to lights and
are thought to be the Boll Weevil. These are mostly various species
of Acorn Weevils, similar to the one shown in Figure 12. The species
figured (fiaZaninus nasicus Say) has the snout somewhat longer than
the more common species, but in all of them it is much longer and
more slender than that of the Boll \Veevil, as are also the antennae or
feelers attached to it. These weevils lay their eggs in acorns in the
fall. When full grown the larvae leave the acorns, enter the ground,
where they change to pupae which transform to adult weevils and
emerge the next summer. Several species are commonly sent us
which are diificult to distinguish. Of these, Balaniizus nasicus,
guercus and zzniformis breed in acorns, B. Vicioriensés Chitt. in live
oak acorns, and the food of B. unduZaZus Csy. is unknown to us.
Other species breed in pecan, hickory, and chestnuts. All of the
species are widely distributed. The various species are from one-
fourth (Z) to one-third (Y3) of an inch long and mottled grayish or
tawny in color.

MISCELLANEOUS WEEVILS.

THE PRICKLY PEAR WEEVIL. (flcaZZes Zurbidus Lec.) In the
spring a mottled brown weevil about three-tenths (3-10) of an inch
long is found in cavities made by it in the prickly pear (Opzmiia).
These weevils breed in the prickly pear, laying their eggs in spots in-
jured by a fly maggot, according to Mr. E. A. Schwarz. The larva
hollows out the inside of the leaf and in the fall makes a loose cocoon
of the chippings in which it transforms to the pupa, from which the
weevil emerges in the spring. The species is common through South
and West Texas and was first described from Arizona.

Rizyssenzaius palmacolZis Say. Figure 7, e. One-fifth (1-5) an
inch long, snout as long as head and thorax, bent vertically dowmvard,
body black, thorax sculptured with fine ridges converging backwards
towards the middle, each wing with four prominent ridges

between which are two rows of distinct elongate punctures or pits,

wing-covers flecked with brown scales, not noticeable to the naked
eye_. This weevil seems to be common in Texas, but we have learned
nothing of its habits. It is recorded as bred from a fungous gall on the
Gopher Vine (Zpamea pandumia) in Ohio by Prof. F. M. Webster.

iWzacepfzolis eZegans Lec. Body metallic greenish or bluish, shin-
ing through a covering of brownish scales, stout, two to three-tenths
(2 to 3-10) an inch long, beak very short and thick, not longer than
head, femora without teeth, under side metallic purplish-black with
brown scales. This species has been received from Hare and Taylor,
Texas, and is not uncommon. It was first described as occurring from
Kansas to Texas. No record of its food habits are found.

Earl's Zransz/ersa Say. A small smooth, rectangular, black weevil,
two-tenths (2-10) an inch long, snout stout, short, bent downward.

Figure 13. The Cotton Boll Weevil: a, cotton square with side removed, showing egg among
anthers at ————— ; b, the same more enlarged in cross section, showing hole through wall of square;
c, larvae in squares; d, pupa in square; e, upper and under side of pupa; ", weevil from side—all
greatly enlarged, e and ffive times natural size.

INSECTS MISTAKEN FOR THE MEXICAN COTTON BOLL ‘VEEVIL _ 13

Occurs in Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona. Received from
Malakoff, Texas.

In addition to these species there are many others not so common
which are mistaken for the Boll Weevil, among them two unidentified
species of the same genus to which it belongs, 99722710720772148, but
much smaller. In fact almost any snout beetle may be mistaken for
the Boll Weevil, and there are hundreds of different kinds belonging
to this group of beetles.