NUT AVEEVIL. 319 



to follow on the maggot-attack. It then buries itself, forms a 

 cell in the earth, and "frequently rests there during the 

 winter, and only changes in the following sjDring or later" to a 

 pupa or chrysalis of whitish colour, like the future weevil in 

 shape, but lying quiescent with its limbs folded against it. 



The weevils are described by John Curtis as of a tawny 

 brown colour, densely clothed with short depressed hairs, the 

 proboscis polished and bright chestnut-colour, the wing-cases 

 clouded or variegated with ochreous and reddish brown trans- 

 verse marks, and with ten lines of punctures on each, wings 

 ample. Other writers describe this weevil as being clothed with 

 greyish or yellowish down, and with a whitish or yellowish 

 scutellum, but it is very variable in colour. The very great 

 length of the proboscis is one distinction. 



The weevils may be found as early as May, at which time 

 development from the chrysalis has been recorded, but it is 

 stated that some of these beetles do not develop till July or 

 August, and it is still open to observation whether some of 

 these do not hybernate and appear with those newly out of 

 the chrysalis in the following May. 



Peevention and Eemedies. — In this case the best means of 

 prevention lie in the regular measures of good cultivation. It 

 is stated the Filbert likes a Hazel loam of some depth, "which 

 should be dressed every year, as the Filbert requires a con- 

 siderable quantity of manure." — (' Enc. of Gardening,' J. L.) 

 It is also mentioned by Mr. C. Whitehead that " in Kent the 

 Nut grounds are well-manured every other year with rags, 

 shoddy, fish, or fur waste, and are always cultivated by hand, 

 and kept scrupulously clean." 



This course of treatment, that is, treatment which involves 

 stirring the surface-soil as well as additions, is suited to 

 expose some of the chrysalids and bury others deeper, and is 

 generall}' useful for insect prevention, but especially as regards 

 the Nut Weevil, which (in instances observed) has been found 

 to be so tender at the time of its transformations as to require 

 eight or nine days to gain its colour and hardness, and also 

 strength enough to force its way up through the ground. 

 Looking at these points, it seems likely that if the chrysalids 

 were buried a little beyond the natural depth many of the 

 weevils from them would not be able to come up at all. 



W^here weevils are very abundant on the trees, it has been 

 advised to beat them down, but this should not be done on 

 a sunny day, or they will speedily take flight and escape ; and 

 (saving for treatment of a bush or two) probably the only way 

 to carry out the plan of beating serviceably would be either to 

 put tarred boards, or for one man to throw a sprinkling 



