1920 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. S7 



Duration of Pupal Stage. This was found to vary from ten to twenty-six 

 days. The adults commenced to harden at the end of twelve hours and arc com- 

 pletely chitinized in seven days. One individual came to the surface in four days, 

 but while able to climb was not completely hardened. 



]*]mergence of the adults commenced at the end of May. ]n 1918 the iirst 

 were taken in the cages on May 25th and the emergence continued until the end ol' 

 June with a maximum during the second week in June. Li 1919 the emergence 

 was later, the first adults being found in tenei'al condition on June 18tli and these 

 would not normally emerge for another week. The season was colder than the 

 previous one and this would account for the difference as the pupae are retarded 

 by lower temperatures. 



Migration. On the advent of warm Aveather in the spring there is a general 

 movement of hibernated weevils from their winter quarters to their feeding ground. 

 Every conceivable spot may be used by them in which to hibernate and where they 

 are especially numerous, dwellings are frequently invaded by them to the conster- 

 nation and annoyance of the owners. Piles of stones or logs, and fence lines ovei'- 

 grown with weeds and brush form ideal quarters, but where the winters are mild, as 

 on Vancouver Island, many spend the winter among the crowns of the strawberry 

 ])lants. The weevils begin to move in March and are fairly active until May when 

 their migratory activities appear to lessen, after which, in June, their numbers 

 are augmented by the newly emerging summer brood and a further movement 

 begins which reaches its climax at midsummer, then lessening until late summer 

 when they seek winter quarters. 



Eegarding the distance travelled by them in a season no definite evidence was 

 obtained, but one new field at Gordon Head, eighty yards wide, was infested 

 throughout in a single season, the weevils coming from an old patcli adjoining. 

 The young patch was bordered on three sides by Ijusli so the weevils could only 

 come from the side adjoining the old patch. On this side the average number of 

 larva? per hill Avas 37, in the centre 16, and at the further end 7. I would say, 

 therefore, that the weevils would be likely to travel at least double the width of 

 this patch, or from 160 to 200 yards. 



Measures of Control. The observations made during the last two seasons 

 have shown that the main principles of control as formerly laid down nro undoubt- 

 edly correct. There is no poison or chemical treatment of any kind that we know 

 of that can be applied to the plants without injury and will at the same time 

 oontrol the weevil. The question is a cultural one and the best results are obtained 

 by a suitable rotation of crops, a double object being attained by discouraging the 

 weevil and maintaining soil fertility. At Gordon Head the Provincial Govern- 

 ment has leased six acres in a badly infested locality and is endeavouring in 

 demonstrate a system suitable to the district. Briefly outlined this Avould be as 

 follows : Presuming that we start with an infested field, the plants should be pulled 

 up and burnt at the end of August or beginning of September. Leaving them uiitil 

 this time induces the adult weevils to remain in the field and deposit their eggs 

 there. Then the field may be ploughed and should be kept fallow about a month, 

 the spring-tooth cultivator being frequently used to bring out all strawberry roots 

 that may remain. This proceeding will starve out all the young grubs in the soil. 

 x\ suitable crop to sow the land to would be fall wheat Avith vetches or clover. 

 The land may remain in clover two years and should then be fall ploughed and 

 potatoes planted the following year. The next year the field may be planted back 



