300 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Distribution.— This weevil was first observed as a destructive pest 

 by S. H. Essig in Ventura County, where it was abundant during 

 May and June in 1913 and 1914. Fall- 14 records it in Los Angeles 

 County near Pomona. No other records are available relative to its 

 distribution in California. 



Control. — As the adults can not fly, control measures consist in 

 jarring them to the ground and putting tanglefoot bands around the 

 trunks of the trees to prevent their climbing back. Poison sprays are 

 of little avail in controlling such a pest. 



THE SMALL GRAY LEAF-WEEVIL 

 Thricolepis inornata Horn (Family Otiorhynchidae) 



(Fig. 294) 



Description. — The weevils greatly resemble miniature Fuller's rose 

 beetles in color and shape. They are light gray with a white spot at 

 the middle base of the elytra, a white line on each side of the prothorax 



and an oblique white 

 line on each side of 

 the elytra near the 

 posterior end. The 

 elytra entirely cover 

 the body, except a 

 small area of the 

 ventral surface. The 

 prothorax is narrow, 

 scarcely wider than 

 the head, and nearly 

 as long as the head 

 and snout together. 

 The antenna? are 

 short and elbowed. 

 If the light gray 

 and white scales are 

 rubbed f r o m the 

 body it appears 

 black. The entire 

 body is covered with 

 short stiff hair. The length varies from J; to 1% inch. The eggs are 

 pearly white, elongate or nearly cylindrical, slightly curved and about 

 g V inch long. They are laid on the side in clusters of thirty or more. 

 Life History.— Very little is known concerning the life history of 

 this weevil. The adults hibernate and often become quite destructive 

 to foliage in the spring (April and May), when the eggs are laid. The 

 larval stage has not been observed. Eggs were laid in clusters upon 

 the leaves in confinement and hatched within two weeks. 



Nature of Work. — The adults eat around the edges of the leaves 

 or holes into the leaves. 



Distribution. — The weevil has been received or taken in the south- 

 • rn. central and northern parts of the State, so its distribution is quite 

 general. 



Fig. 294. — The small gray leaf-weevil, Thricolenis inor- 

 nata Horn. Eggs and adults, slightly enlarged. (Original) 



"rn.. Cal. a. .ui. Sci. VIII, p. ins. 1901. 



