102 



the definition of a new genus, Ncosyagrius, to place the single 

 representative described under the name cordipennis. The above 

 data, which constitutes all the evidence at hand, indicates Aus- 

 tralia to be the original habitat of Syagrius fuhitarsis, and it is 

 generally so considered. 



The fern weevil was first observed in Hawaii in 1903. In 

 November of that year the late F. W. Terry collected it on a 

 Cibotium fern on Pacific Heights, above Honolulu. In the fol- 

 lowing month he collected it again on a cultivated fern at the 

 residence of Mrs. Parmalee, on Beretania Street, in Honolulu. 

 In May of 1905, Mr. O. H. Swezey reared individuals from the 

 bored stipes of a Sadleria fern {Sadleria cyathcoides) collected 

 along the path on Pacific Heights Ridge at the edge of t[ie forest. 

 Since its initial appearance it has spread in the mountains back 

 of Honolulu as far west as Nuuanu Pali and as far east as the 

 Manoa Valley side of Tantalus mountain. In the city it has 

 been carried everywhere in basket and potted ferns, and in 1909 

 appeared in greenhouses in the town of Hilo on Hawaii. It has 

 now spread over the entire town, from Wainaku to Waiakea, 

 in the fish-tail and Boston ferns, was recently discovered infest- 

 ing Sadleria ferns at Kilauea, and is also reported from Ninole, 

 seventeen miles north of Hilo on the railroad. 



Hosts and Injuries, Methods of Spreading in Hawaii. 



The fern weevil attacks various species of ferns but is not 

 known to be attached to any other plants. In Australia, it is said 

 to feed on the fleshy leaf-stalks of Calipteris proUfcra. In 

 Hawaii, it is commonly found on the maiden-hair fern (species 

 of Adiantum) , fish-tail and Boston ferns (forms of Nephrolepis 

 exaltata), lauwahee fern {Poly podium phymatodes), cultivated 

 species, and is also known to attack Cibotium cJmmissoi (the tree 

 fern), Diplazium inarginale, D. sandwichianum, Microlcpia hirta 

 and an undetermined species of Asplenium, endemic species, as 

 well as Sadleria cyatheoides, already referred to, on which its in- 

 juries have been more extensive and severe. This species appears 

 in some ways to be a favored host, while the tree fern, Cibotium 

 chamissoi, was for some time considered to be immune to attack. 

 The difference in the degree and extent of infestation is appar- 

 ently due to the varying degrees of suitability of the plant to 

 .the weevil's activities. The leaf stalks of Sadleria cyatheoides, 

 being large and fleshy, are suited to the reception of eggs, develop- 

 ment of the larva and support of the adult. The leaf stalks of 

 most other ferns, however, are either of harder consistency or 

 are smaller in diameter; those of the tree fern, while of greater 

 diameter, are considerably harder at the base, although the 

 weevil has been reared from tgg to, adult a number of times in 

 the tender tips of new shoots. 



The fern weevil is injurious in both the larval and adult stage. 

 The larvae work internally, boring or tunneling the stipe or 



