214 



GENUINE SNOUT-BEETLES. 



Virginia creeper, and in this case at least the beetles mature in- 

 side them before the summer is past, indicating, perhaps, that it is 

 double-brooded. 



Still another similar but larger beetle is frequently found up- 

 on the grape vines and other plants ; it is Madarus undulatus Boh., 

 and is a very singular looking insect, very highly polished, en- 

 tirely black, and with a bright reddish pro-thorax. The surface 

 of the wing-covers are undulating, hence the specific name. 



The genus Balaninus contains a number of very peculiar 

 beetles, frequently called "Nut- weevils" (Fig. 228). All of them 



Fig. 228.— Nut-weevil. After Bretam. 



confine their attention to the different kinds of hazelnuts, chest- 

 nuts, acorns, and hickory nuts; hence are injurious where nuts 

 as chestnuts and pecans are grown for the market. 



In Minnesota we have a large number of such beetles, and 

 the lover of freshly-picked hazel nuts is frequently greatly dis- 

 appointed in finding a fat worm instead of a sweet kernel. People 

 buying chestnuts are equally disgusted with their bargains and 

 for the same reason. The great majority of acorns are equally 

 infested. All our species of Bolaninus are large beetles. 



