INSECTS AFFECTING FOREST TREES. 531 



SPECIES AFFECTING THE FRUIT. 



ACORN WEEVIL. 



Balaninus nasiciis Say. 



This is a small beetle with a remarkably long, slender snout which was observed 

 in small numbers at Karner during June, 1901. It was bred the following season 

 from acorns of the bear or chestnut scrub oaks. This species is one of the most 

 common nut weevils and has been bred from hickory and hazel nuts and chestnuts 

 as well as acorns. 



Life History. Dr. Harris records finding this species paired upon hazel nut 

 bushes in July, at which time the eggs are probably laid. He states that others 

 appear in September and October, and must pass the winter concealed in some 

 place of security. Mr. Glover records two broods, the last one probably hibernating 

 in the earth, and adds that Mr. Akhurst of Brooklyn has observed that these 

 insects sometimes remain in the larval condition over one season. Mr. W. H. 

 Patton states that the following species of Balaninus have been reared from acorns : 

 B. caryae, B. iiniforiiiis, B. nasiciis, B. rectus, B. qucrcus and B. coccinca. 



Description. This species has been described by Dr. Harris as follows: "Its 

 form is oval, its ground color dark brown ; it is clothed with very short rust yellow 

 flattened hairs, which more or less conceal its original color, and are disposed in 

 spots on its wing covers. The snout is brown and polished, longer than the whole 

 body, as slender as a bristle, of equal thickness from one end to another, and 

 slightly curved ; it bears the long elbowed antennae, which are as fine as a hair, just 

 behind the middle. This beetle measures nearly y,,, of an inch in length, exclusive 

 of the snout." The beetle is represented on plate 16, figures 19, 20. The larva or 

 grub of this species has been described by Dr. Riley as yellow, with reddish-brown 

 head and dark brown mandibles. 



Natural Enemies. This species is apparently exempt from the attacks of natural 

 enemies. Messrs. Riley and Howard, however, record the rearing of Triehacis 

 rufipcs Ashm. MS., from cocoons infested with this insect, and Blastobasis glandulella 

 Riley from St. Louis, Mo., and states that this is probably from a Cecidomyiid 

 incjuiline. It thus appears that no undoubted parasitic enemy has yet been 

 obtained. 



