76 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OE VICTORIA : 



for twelve months, 970 grains of wheat yielded 460 weevils ; 

 all of these were in the grain in the grub state when it 

 was placed in the jar. 



These tiny beetles gnaw a hole into the side of the grain, 

 and in this deposit an egg. In some cases, the Jumping 

 Bean, for example, the grub is in the centre of the bean, 

 and only with the aid of the lens can the smallest hole be 

 detected ; hence it happens that the larvae, by some muscular 

 movements, causes the bean to move (jump), and in some 

 parts of the world affords endless amusement. Some 

 years ago a Melbourne firm imported a quantity of 

 Jumping Beans, but as this meant the introduction of a 

 new pest, entomologists did not appreciate them, and the 

 whole were promptly destroyed. 



The Rice Weevil, unlike the Grain Weevil, can fly, and 

 this fact renders it more formidable. At the present time, 

 it is found in most countries, and will even thrive in the 

 coldest parts of North America, &c. In Victoria, this 

 insect is very plentiful, and, in addition, cargoes of rice 

 and other grain have to be specially watched and inspected, 

 and if found affected treated as recommended in the latter 

 part of the chapter. 



Grain Weevil. — Regarding this tiny pest, Mr. Froggatt 

 offers the following remarks : — 



" Though the common brown wheat pest is usually called 

 the Grain Weevil, it is the one described by Linnaeus under 

 the name of Calandra oryzce — that is, the universal pest.. 

 This is somewhat of a misnomer, as it is a comparatively 

 rare beetle, without the same powers of flight. It is some- 

 what larger than the former, without the blotches on the 

 wing covers, and the punctures on the thorax deeper and 

 more distinct. In Victoria, this pest is a real scourge in 

 granaries, and appears in enormous numbers." 



Nutmeg Beetle. — This is another serious pest, and a 

 fitting companion to the two already described. According 

 to Masters, this beetle is a native of Australia, although we 

 have often found it in imported nutmegs. On that 



