204 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



side of the orifice. One egg only is deposited in an opening, which is 

 elongate-oval in form, about three-hundredths of an inch long, the diame- 

 ter about one-third the length ; it is of a pearly white color. Each female 

 is supposed to have a stock of from fifty to one hundred eggs, and to 

 deposit from five to ten in a day. While those which appear earliest begin- 

 this work about the middle of May, it is continued by others which appear 

 later, until the last of June or the first of July ; thus extending the period 

 of egg depositing to about two months. 



The larva which is hatched from the egg is a little footless worm, 

 somewhat maggot-like, except that it has a distinct head, and is less atten- 

 uate at the extremity ; is of a glassy, yellowish white color, but partakes 

 more or less of the color of the flesh of the fruit in which it resides ; there 

 is a lighter line running along each side of the body, with a row of minute 

 black bristles below and a less distinct one above it ; the stomach is rust 

 red, or dark brown ; the head is yellowish, or pale brown. Length, when 

 fully grown, about two-fifths of an inch. 



The fruit containing this grub does not usually mature, but falls to the 

 ground before it is fully ripe, and before the grub is quite full grown. When 

 it has completed this stage it leaves the fruit now on the ground, and 

 burrows a few inches into the earth, where it passes the pupa state. This 

 requires about three weeks, when it comes forth in the perfect or beetle 

 state. 



Whether it is single or double brooded is one of the questions long 

 in dispute, and in regard to which there is yet considerable difference of 

 opinion. Prof. Riley, who has tested the matter by inclosing a tree so that 

 none could escape or enter, found those enclosed single-brooded, the excep- 

 tions amounting to but one per cent. As this accords with what might natu- 

 rally be expected from itshistoryso far as positively known, from the fact that 

 its normal habit is to pass the larval state in the flesh of a fruit that scarcely 

 continues long enough to allow for two broods, and from what is known 

 of other closely allied species, we may take for granted as pretty well 

 settled that it is single-brooded. This conclusion, connected with the 

 fact that it usually passes through the pupa state in about three weeks, 

 would appear, if well established, to settle the point that it passes the 

 winter as a beetle, which is another point about which there has been 

 much dispute. Dr. Hull, who had much experience with this insect, con- 

 cluded it was single-brooded, but was inclined to believe it passed the 

 winter in the preparatory state in the ground ; but Prof. Riley's experi- 

 ment appears to have indicated pretty clearly that this is not the rule, but 

 that it hybernates as a beetle. 



As is now well known, it attacks plums, nectarines, apricots, cher- 

 ries, peaches, apples, pears, and quinces ; but it does not so readily 

 mature in the apple, as this fruit appears to be too juicy for it ; it also 

 deposits in the black knot on plum trees. 



Usually the fruit in which it resides drops to the ground before 

 maturity, but the cherry appears to be an exception to this rule. 



Re77iedies. — When alarmed the perfect insect folds up its legs close to 

 its body, bends its snout under its breast and drops to the ground ; this 



