296 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



have learned that this insect, far from being exclusive 

 in its choice, will accommodate itself to most of our 

 leguminous foods. 



All the haricots suit it, black and white, red and varie- 

 gated, large and small ; those of the latest crop and those 

 which have been many years in stock and are almost 

 completely refractory to boiling water. The loose beans 

 are attacked by preference, as being easier to invade, 

 but when the loose beans are not available those in the 

 natural shelter of their pods are attacked with equal zest. 

 However dry and parchment-like the pods, the grubs 

 have no difficulty in attaining the seeds. When attacked 

 in the field or garden, the bean is attacked in this way 

 through the pod. The bean known in Provence as the 

 blind haricot — loii faioii borgne — a bean with a long pod, 

 which is marked with a black spot at the navel, which 

 has the look of a closed and blackened eye, is also greatly 

 appreciated ; indeed, 1 fancy my little guests show an 

 obvious preference for this particular bean. 



So far, nothing abnormal ; the Bruchus does not wander 

 beyond the limits of the botanical family P/ws^o/ms. But 

 here is a characteristic that increases the peril, and shows 

 us this lover of beans in an unexpected light. Without the 

 slightest hesitation it accepts the dry pea, the bean, the 

 vetch, the tare, and the chick-pea ; it goes from one to 

 the other, always satisfied ; its offspring live and prosper 

 in all these seeds as well as in the haricot. Only the 

 lentil is refused, perhaps on account of its insufficient 

 volume The American weevil is a formidable experi- 

 mentalist. 



The peril would be much greater did the insect pass 

 from leguminous seeds to cereals, as at first I feared It 



