184 



INSECTS AFFECTING RHUBARB. 



young flower-stalk, but in the absence of these may 



be deposited in the crown 

 of the plant. The period 

 of egg deposition is an ex- 

 tended one, very } r oung 

 larvse occurring at the same 

 time as pupae, and there 

 being a difference of more 

 than two months in the 

 time of reaching maturity. 

 _ The eggs probably hatch 

 within a few days, and the 

 larvse feed upon the sub- 

 stance of the root or stem 



for several weeks. The 

 c 



Fig 97. Rhubarb Curculio: a, larva; eggs deposited early ill the 

 6, pupa; c, beetle. Slightly mag- . 



nifled. spring develop into beetles 



by the first of August, and the insects from the eggs 

 deposited later continue to mature until October. 

 Eggs are also often deposited in the rhubarb stalks, 

 but they do not seem to be able to develop there. 

 In some of the Western States the beetle is said 

 to breed in wild sunflowers instead of the dock. 

 Remedies. — Collecting the beetles by hand, and 

 pulling up and burning dock plants early in sum- 

 mer, are the most promising remedies yet suggested. 



