92 A MANUAL OF DANGEROUS INSECTS. 



Ceutorhynchus contractus Marsh. 



(The Charlock Weevil. Curculionidae; Coleoptera.) 



Injury: This minute weevil sometimes does great 'harm early in the season to young 

 sprouting mustard plants by devouring the germinating seed or the young plant just 

 below the surface of the ground. 



Host: Charlock, {Br assica arvensis h'xnn.) 

 Ormerod, E. a. 17th Report, Injurious Insects, p. 74. 



CUCURBITS; MELONS; CUCUMBER. 



(Family Cucurbitaceae.) 



There are many species of melons grown in various parts of the world, but tlie only 

 danger of importation comes from pests of the seed and fruit. 



A. BETTER KNOWN CUCURBIT INSECTS LIKELY TO BE IMPORTED. 



Epilaclina spp. 

 (Cucurbit Ladybird Beetles. Coccinellidse; Coleoptera.) 



Species: Epilachna chrysomelina Fabricius; Mediterranean region, Sudan, German 

 East Africa; cucurbits, Sesamia. E. 28-punctata Fabricius; Asia, Malaysia, Australia; 

 Solanacese, Cucurbitacese. E. dodecastigma ilulsant; Asia, Malaysia, Australia; 

 Solanacese, Cucurbitacese. E. argus Fourcroy; Southern Europe; Bryonia dioica and 

 other cuciu-bits. 



Injury: Defoliate. 



Description: Beetle of E. chrysomelina round, very convex, yellowish red with six 

 round black spots on each elytron; length 7-9 mm. The larvae as well as the adults 

 feed on the foliage. 

 SoRAUER, P. Ilandbuch der Pflanzenkrankheiten, 3d ed., 1913, vol. 3, p. 477. 



Aulacophora olivierei Guerin. 

 (Banded Pumpkin Beetle. Chrysomelidse; Coleoptera.) 



Hosts: Cucurbitacese, pumpkin, marrow, cucumber, gourd, peach, nectarine. 



Injury: Very serious. The adults skeletonize the leaves, and eat the flowers; the 

 larvse feed in the roots and lower parts of the stem. 



Description: Beetle about 8 mm. long; orange yellow with large black spots at 

 humeri and beyond middle on each elytron. The adults are rather gregarious in 

 habits. 



Distribution: Australia. 



French, C. Handbook of Destructive Insects of Victoria, pt. 4, 1909, pp. 123-127, 



pi. 81. 



Baris trsegardhi Aurivillius. 



(Melon "Weevil. Curculionidae; Coleoptera.) 



Hosts: Sweet melons. 



Injury: Breeds in the fruit among the seed. 



Description and biology: Adult weevil 4 to 6 mm. long, black, with a long slender 

 curved beak, antennae elbowed and clubbed. Pupa white, with appendages folded 

 beneath. Larva white, legless, with light brownish head. 



Distribution: Sudan. 



King, H. H. Fourth Rept. Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories, 1911, vol. B, 

 Genl. Science, p. 137, pi. 8, figs. 1, 3, 4, (5. 



