INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CORN. 



333 



Fig. 71. — The Grain Weevil, 

 C'alandra granaria: a, larva; b, 

 pupa; c ,adult. All greatly en- 

 larged, except the outline of 

 small beetle just above the large 

 one. (From Howard, U. S. 

 Dept. Agric. ) 



you will be able to obtain a good idea of the appearance of the insect 

 when seen under a magnifying glass, and just above it the outline of 

 one of the beetles natural size. 



These beetles, fortunately for the agriculturist, infest the corn only 

 when it is stored, and will not be found 

 infesting it in the field. These beetles 

 eat holes in the grain for food purposes 

 as well as for depositing their eggs, 

 which they push down in some of the 

 holes which they have eaten. The lar- 

 vae hatching from these eggs are 

 small, footless, fat, grub-like creatures, 

 one of which is represented, greatly 

 magnified, in figure 71, a. 



These larvae feed within the ker- 

 nel, mining it out, and when they become 

 full grown transform to the pupae stage 

 within the kernel, similar to the grain 

 moth previously described, but not, however, by first making a little 

 cocoon, as do the moths. Presently these pupae transform to the adult 

 beetles, and then they eat their way out of the grain and lay their eggs 

 for another brood. It requires about six weeks from the time the egg 

 is deposited until the adult stage is attained. 



These insects breed generation after generation in the stored corn, 

 and under favorable conditions in this State we find upwards of five 

 broods a year. These insects multiply very rapidly, the adult female 

 beetle laying a great many eggs and laying these during quite a long 

 period. These beetles are also much stronger and more powerful than 

 the grain moth, and for that reason are able to escape from the stored 

 corn at greater depths. For this reason also they are able to do more 

 injury. 



REMEDIES. 



The Angoumois grain moth and the grain weevil, as well as a num- 

 ber of other insects that feed in stored grains and seeds, may be readily 

 killed by proper fumigation with bisulphide of carbon. The following 

 method should be strictly adhered to : In the first place, it must be 

 distinctly understood that in order to kill these insects in stored seed or 

 grain, the seed must be confined in a tight room, granary or box, as 

 the case may be. If such places are not tight, then every crack and 

 crevice must be stopped up with rags or by other means, because the 

 first essential is to have a close place where there will be no possibility 



