302 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS <)K CALIFORNIA. 



is about ;is Long as the prothorax and longer than the head. The 

 antennae are short and the elytra are strongly carinated. The entire 

 hody is covered with fine light hair, producing a grayish color. The 

 immature forms are small, white, legless grubs, feeding in the twigs or 

 limbs of trees. 



Fig. 29G. — The black fruit-tree weevil, Magdalis gracilis Lee. 

 Adults and their work on almond leaves. Natural size. Specimens 

 collected in the Santa Clara Valley by Leroy Childs. (Original) 



Life History.— The life history is practically the same as for the 

 bronze apple-tree weevil (Magdalis cenescens Lee), the larvae also work 

 in the twigs of fruit trees, having been bred from an apple tree in 

 Alameda County. 



Nature of Work. — The work of the grubs is much the same as other 

 small borers. The work of the adults is shown very well in Fig. 296, 

 and consists in removing the epidermis of the leaf only, or in cutting 

 holes entirely through the tissues. 



Distribution. — The distribution of this weevil appears to be through- 

 out the central and northern parts of the State. 216 It has been col- 

 lected in the Santa Clara Valley by Leroy Childs (April 18, 1914), 

 nnd Dr. E. C. Van Dyke reports it as generally distributed in the San 

 Francisco Bay region. 



Food Plants.— Dr. E. C. Van Dyke has reared the adults from apple 

 trees which were infested by the grubs. The adults proved quite 

 serious to the foliage of almond trees in the Santa Clara Valley in 

 April, 1914. Prof. R. W. Doane reports considerable injury to the 

 Loliage of apricot, apple and peach in Santa Clara and Solano counties. 



""Fall, H. C, Proc. Cal. Acad. Sri.. VI If, p. 195, 1901. 



