The Bulletin. 



45 



The description of the larva and pupa will be found in the account 

 of the life-history. 



Should any reader of this Bulletin find what he takes to be the 

 true Boll-weevil in this State, he should at once send specimens to 

 the writer, so that it may be determined with certainty. By all means 

 it should not be announced that the weevil has been found until it is 

 ascertained to be an absolute fact. Harm and undue excitement may 

 be caused by such careless reports. When it is determined beyond 

 doubt that the insect is infesting the fields of this State the public 

 will be promptly informed of the fact. In the meantime let us keep 

 our eyes open and receive all sensational newspaper accounts of its 

 appearance (unless they come from an authorized source) with the 

 large grain of allowance which they deserve. 



Life-history. — The adult weevils pass the winter in sheltered 

 situations in the edges of woods, in and around farm buildings, under 

 rubbish, among grass and weeds in the fields, etc. In the spring they 

 begin to emerge and feed to a limited extent on the tender growing- 

 terminal leaves — "in the bud" — as one would say, of any volunteer 

 cotton which may be growing. Later they go to the planted fields. 

 When the buds or "squares" begin to form the insects feed on them 

 and the females deposit their eggs in them also, placing the egg in a 

 hole which is made in the square or boll with the snout. In Fig. 

 20, at the right-hand side, is shown a partly grown boll which shows 

 the marks where the insects have been feeding and laying their eggs. 



Fig. 20.— At right, a boll showing feeding and egg-laying marks of Boll-weevil. At left, partly 

 grown boll opened to show grown larva of Boll-weevil inside. Natural size. 



(After Howard, Bur. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



These marks should not be confused with the little specks of color 

 which are to be seen on almost any boll. The egg is covered over 

 with a substance somewhat like glue, which protects it from the 

 attacks of enemies and also from such application of remedies as 

 might be made. The eggs hatch to tiny white grubs which live, eat 



