LEAF-ROLLING SNOUT-BEETLES. 



181 



Before beginning' to roll np the leaf she gnaws the stem nearly 

 off, so that after the roll is made, and has dried for perhaps a 

 dav, it is easily detached by the wind and falls to the ground. 

 When folding the leaf she rolls it up tightly, neatly tucking in 

 the ends until a compact, cylindrical, solid mass of vegetation is 

 formed. Before the leaf is entirely rolled she deposits a single 

 egg, rarely two, in the middle next to the midrib, where it lies 

 loosely in a little cavity. While all this is going on her consort 

 stands near by, and she occasionally runs to him to receive his 

 caresses, then again resumes her work. These rolls sometimes 

 remain on the bushes for several days, but probably drop by 



Fig. 1S8.— Attelabus analis. III. 



Pig. 189. — Thimble-shaped cradles 

 ou oak. 



the time the larva escapes from the egg, and it seems probable 

 that the grub uses the roll for a shelter until it matures and is 

 ready to enter into its transformations into a beetle." In Minne- 

 sota the writer has frequently seen the female at work, but in- 

 variably she worked alone, no male being near. In many cases 

 the larva also changes to a pupa inside the cradle, and the latter to 

 a beetle, without entering the ground at all. Evidently love does 

 not alwavs run as smooth here as in the east ! 



