INSECTS INJURIOUS TO BEANS AND PEAS Id 



dot on its surface, but in dry seed the cell inhabited by the 

 insect is visible under the skin. 



The belief was once more or less prevalent that the larva 

 working within the seed, by some wonderful instinct, avoided 

 the germ or embryo, and that weevil-infested peas were there- 

 fore of equal value for seed to uninfested ones, but this is in- 

 correct. Many "weeviled" seed will germinate, but as they are 

 deficient in plant food the resulting plant is apt to be weakly 

 and nonproductive. 



This species develops only a single generation annually. As 

 it does not breed in dry peas, the new generation for another 

 year is dependent on such beetles as are contained in planted 

 seed or which escape from the storeroom. 



REMEDIES 



Holding over seed. — A simple and effective remedy consists 

 merely in keeping seed peas in a close receptacle, a tight bag 

 or box, over one season before planting. The beetles which 

 issue die without being able to lay their eggs in the field. 

 Primary injury to the seed has been effected by the larva the 

 first summer and after the weevil develops, always during the 

 first autumn in the writer's experience, further damage prac- 

 tically ceases. 



Late planting. — Comparative immunity from pea weevil at- 

 tack is claimed in some localities, e. g., in the southern states, 

 by planting late, and is all that is necessary to secure sound 

 seed stock. 



Bisulphid of carbon. — When it is desired to plant the first 

 season after gathering the seed, bags in which peas have been 

 kept tightly closed should be placed in a tight box or vessel and 

 disinfected with bisulphid of carbon, at the rate of an ounce 

 or two to 100 pounds of seed. This method will kill the weevils 



