64^ Jour)ial of Agriculture. [ii Oct., 1909. 



THE TOMATO WEEML. 



{Dcsiimt/ui itovica, Lea.) 

 C. French, juu., Assistant Goveninioit Entomologist. 



In the Journal for December, 1908, attention was drawn to a new 

 vegetable pest that was causing considerable annoyance to growers of 

 tomato plants at Ascot Vale, Essendon, and Preston. As the in.sect has 

 extended its field of operations so much of late, it is thought advisable 

 to again draw attention to it. In addition to the places above mentioned, 

 the Tomato Weevil has now been found at Camberwell, Flemington, Wil- 

 liamstown, and other parts of the metropolitan area, and has been play- 

 ing great havoc with garden plants and vegetables. 



The larva is of a light pea-green colour, measuring about a quarter 

 of^ an inch in length, and is found in the soil, usually a few inches below 

 the surface. When about to pupate or turn into "the chrysalis it con- 

 structs a cocoon made of soil, where it remains for a couple of months 

 until it emerges as the perfect insect. The ^Derfect insect varies in colour 

 from light grey to dark brown, some specimens having a V-shaped mark 

 on the wing cases. It is quite as destructive as the larva, and, like it, 

 goes down into the soil in the day time, coming up at night to feed. 

 The larvae often feed in the daytime as well as at night, but the perfect 

 insects rarely do so. 



Remedies. — As the weevils are in the ground close to the plant, T 

 would recommend that the soil be forked up for a couple of inches round 

 the plant. This will expose the larvae and perfect insects, which will in 

 many instances be destroyed by native insectivorous birds, fowls, ants, &c. 



Spraying garden plants with arsenate of lead has been tried with good 

 results, but great care must be taken that the vegetables are washed before 

 being used. Placing poultry in coops close to tomato or other plants 

 would be beneficial, as the insects being just under the surface of the soil 

 are easily scratched up and devoured. Another plan is to place a piece 

 of new.spaper under the plants at night, and take a lantern or any light 

 out amongst the plants ; when the insects see the light thev fall on the 

 paper and can be gathered up and destroyed. A friend of mine states 

 that by this means he collected some thousands of weevils in a week. 



As the insect is partial to the common Marsh Mallow, any of these 

 plants growing on vacant land adjoining gardens should be destroyed. 

 The Marsh Mallow is also a harbour for the Harlequin Bug and other 

 noxious insects. 



The Tomato Weevil is a prolific breeder, and every possible means 

 should be adopted to prevent its spread ; it mav be .seen at all times 

 throughout the year, and the damage done is considerable. 



].':„ KXPI.ANATION OF l^I.ATE. 



I. — Perfect insect. (Natural size.) 



2. — Perfect insect. (Natural size, sitle view.) 



3. — Perfect insect. (Enlarged.) 



4. — Perfect insect. (Knlarged, side view.) 



5. — Larva. (Enlarged.) 



6. — Larva. (Enlarged, side view.) 



7. — Larva. (Natural size, side view.) 



8. — Larva. (Natural size, side view.) 



c). — Pupa. (Enlarged.) 

 10. — Pupa in cocoon. (Natural size.) 

 II. — Cocoon. (Natural size.) 



