PINE WEEVIL. 261 



is beset with bristles. It is either legless, or with mere 

 indications of legs on the three segments behind the head, and 

 in general shape resembles other weevil-maggots (excepting 

 that the three segments above mentioned are so much enlarged 

 as to give a swollen appearance to this part of the maggot, 

 which is also much wrinkled transversely), for figs, of which 

 see references to " Weevil " in Index. 



The maggots form more or less winding galleries in the soft 

 wood beneath the bark, which gradually increase in size with 

 the growth of the maggot, and, following the course of the 

 root, go down to some depth below the surface. These 

 galleries are gradually filled with the results of the wood- 

 gnawings ("worm-meal") left by the maggot, and at the 

 extremity of the boring there is a cocoon-like accumulation of 

 chips forming a nest for the pupa. 



The pupae resemble the beetles in shape, but with the legs 

 and partially developed wings and wing-cases, and also the 

 long snout or proboscis, folded under them ; the rings of the 

 abdomen are slightly saw-like at the sides. These pupae are 

 to be found in spring in their cocoon-like nests, and in this 

 state they lie quiet for about four weeks, when the young 

 beetles develop and come out, whilst some of the beetles of the 

 previous year that have hybernated are again to be found. These 

 latter have passed the winter in Moss, or fallen leafage and 

 twigs, or even in holes in the earth, or roots under the trees, or 

 similar sheltering places, and may be known from the freshly- 

 developed beetles by their more faded and worn appearance. 



The beetles are about half an inch in length, of a dull pitchy 

 black, with some yellowish hairs on the head and on the body 

 behind the head, which is also thickly roughened with small 

 pits or wrinkles. The wing-cases are rounded at the sides, 

 and bluntly pointed at the tail (so as to be somewhat boat- 

 shaped), with lines of oval or squarish punctures and the 

 surface rough ; they are also variegated with irregular trans- 

 verse bands of spots of yellowish hairs. The legs are black. 

 The beetle is especially distinguished by its long snout or pro- 

 boscis, with elbowed horns, of which the long lowest joint fits 

 into a hollow formed for its reception in the side of the pro- 

 boscis (see fig. magnified, p. 260). 



Prevention and Eemedies. — One of the chief points to be 

 observed in the habits of this beetle is that it frequents forest 

 clearings, that is, spots where Fir trees, few or many, have 

 recently been felled. Here it harbours under pieces of bark, 

 broken wood, &c., and lays its eggs on the logs, stumps, and 

 exposed roots. 

 • It is therefore desirable that all such points of attraction 



