The Plum and Apple Curculio. 



253 



meridian, and isolated orchards in the country north of the river. 

 Eastward these insects occur throughout the United States to the 



HISTORY OF THE CURCULIOS. 



/ 



Both are native insects, and before the planting of orchards!' 

 found sustenance upon various wild fruits, the plum curculio originally" 

 feeding prircipally upon the common wild plum (Pruaus americana) 

 and to a lesser extent also upon the wild ciab apple (Malus ioensis) and 

 several species of wild haws (Crataegus), while the apple curculio - 

 confined its attention to the crab-apple and the haws. With the a^ivent-- 

 of congeneric or related cultivated fruits, it was not surprising thaftf 

 they should take these on as a source of food supply, and in many 

 localities practically abandon the wild for the cultivated varieties. 



Accordingly, w'e find that while the plum curculio greatly pre- 

 fers the fruit from which it derives its name, it will on necessity take 

 up readily apples and cherries, and even pears, peaches, apricots and 

 quinces. The apple curculio, however, confines its work to that fruit. 

 The plum curculio was recognized as a fruit grower's enemy long 

 before its naming in 1797, but the apple curculio, though described 

 and named in 1831, w-as not recognized as inimical until thirty years 

 or more later. 



APPEARANCE OF ADULT BEETLE. 



Both of these insects are small, dark colored, "snout-beetles,."" 

 one-fifth of an inch long or less. But on comparison they are seen to- 

 be very different. The plum curculio has a short, stout beak which 

 is pointed downward from the head, its body narrows from the 

 bases of the elytra or "wing-cases" toward their tips, and each elytroa 



Apple Curculio. 



Plum Curculio. 



