535 



disappearing in the first half of July. Early in spring they damage 

 the buds, and later the flowers, driving their proboscis through the 

 calyx and eating the reproductive organs. During the period of 

 fruiting, they attack various fruits and have been observed feeding 

 on young cherries, plums, apricots, apples, pears, sloes and even on 

 gooseberries and bird cherries. Although it is usually stated that 

 the insects oviposit exclusively in cherries, the author observed on 

 the Volga, in 1907, that the females deposited their eggs in apples, 

 especially of the China variety, pears, apricots, sloes and, less frequently, 

 in plums. Spraying with Paris green in the same proportions as 

 recommended for R. gigonteus, before the weevils begin to pair, and 

 again in 10 or 12 days, the use of sticky belts and shaking down the 

 adults from the trees, are mentioned as remedies. 



Rhynchites cupreus, L., is found everywhere in South Russia, appearing 

 on fruit trees before the swelhng of the buds and injuring those of 

 plums, apricots, sloes, apples, medlars and service fruits. The females 

 oviposit in May in plums, less frequently in cherries, also injuring the 

 pedicel so as to cause the fruit to drop. Only one egg is laid in each 

 Iruit, the larvae appearing in 6 or 7 days. They feed on the paren- 

 chyma, mature in 5 or 6 weeks and pupate in the earth. The adults 

 appear in the same autumn, but usually remain in the earth till next 

 spring. The hming of trees, shaking down the weevils, and the des- 

 truction of fallen fruits are advised. 



Rhynchites aequatus, L., occurs over many parts of South and East 

 Russia, but is absent from North Russia. It injures the buds, and 

 later the fruit, of plums, sloes, medlars, apricots and apples. The 

 females oviposit both in medlars and apples. According to Reddeberg, 

 they winter in the larval stage, but the author's observations in the 

 government of Simbirsk tend to show that hibernation often takes 

 place as an imago. The same remedies as against R. cupreus are 

 recommended. 



Byctiscus hetulae {Rhynchites hetuleti) is found everywhere in European 

 Russia, Caucasia and Siberia, breeding in forests, on poplars, aspens, 

 lime trees and hazel nuts, and in orchards on pears, apples, vines and 

 nuts. They injure the buds and young leaves and oviposit in folded 

 leaves on the tips of the shoots. 



Anthonomus fomorwn, L., is found all over European Russia and 

 in Transcaucasia. The weevils appear early in spring before the 

 swelling of the buds. The egg is deposited through a hole made by 

 the female in the tips of the buds and then pushed down by the pro- 

 boscis between the style and the stamen of the future flower. The 

 larvae hatch in 7 or 8 days and feed on the stamens, anthers, style 

 and stigma, without touching the ovary. Pupation takes place inside 

 the bud, lasting 7 or 8 days. The whole cycle from egg to imago lasts 

 about five weeks. The adults hibernate without producing offspring. 

 The author has reared the parasite Pimpla pomorum from buds 

 infested with this pest, which is also destroyed by ants and some 

 insectivorous birds. Liming the trees, shaking down the weevils, and 

 trap belts, in addition to the use of parasites as suggested by 

 Portchinsky, are recommended. 



