388 



on Gardenia. From Mexico, Heliothis (CJiloridea) obsoleta on tomatos ; 

 Cho-ysomphalus dictyospermi and Hemichionaspis sp. on coconuts; 

 larvae of Tachardia on dry twigs. From Minnesota, Lepidosaphes 

 becJcii on grapefruit. From Nevada and Oregon, Heterodera radicicola 

 in potatoes. From Ohio, Tetranyckus mytilaspidis, Myzus rosarum 

 and other Aphids on rose plants. From Pennsylvania, Tetranychus 

 omjtilaspidis on violets. From Tahiti, Parlaloria pergandei on limes 

 and an undetermined Coccid on coconuts. From Utah, Hypera 

 variabilis (postica) in lucerne hay. From Washington, Cydia pomonella 

 in apples. 



AiNSLTE (G. G.). U.S. Bur. Entom. The Cornpith Weevil [Centrinus 

 penicdhs, Hbst.) — Jl. Eron. Entom., Concord, N.H., xiii, no. 3, 

 June 1920, pp. 271-280, 3 figs. 



The larvae of the CurcuHonid, Centrinus penicellus, Hbst., were first 

 observed in 1911, boring in the nodes of maize stalks. The injury 

 is but shght, though the species is well distributed through the southern 

 States, its northern hmit being probably determined by the depth to 

 which the ground freezes during the mnter. In Maryland it is 

 abimdant at an elevation of 500 ft., but entirely absent at 2,100 ft. 

 Maize is apparently the principal food-plant, though larvae that may 

 prove identical have been found in Panicum crusgalli and P. dichotomi- 

 fiorum, and it is probable that other large grasses are attacked. There 

 is one generation in a year. The beetles begirt to emerge from the 

 ground about 1st July and increase gradually in nimibers until early 

 August. Oviposition is generally on the main stem of maize, either 

 in or immediately below the tassel, no eggs being laid until the tassel 

 is pushed out beyond the sheath, exposing the culm. The punctures 

 that then begin to appear on the stem are not all for oviposition 

 purposes, some being merely for feeding. The eggs are soft and jelly- 

 like, and are always placed a little to one side of the puncture. The 

 incubation period is probably about a week, and after hatching the 

 minute larva begins to feed on the dehcate pith cells around it, turning 

 downwards. The number of instars has not been accurately worked 

 out, but after the first or second moult the larva constantly moves up 

 and down in the burrow. At each node there is a distinct pause, and 

 the cavity is always enlarged there. Sometimes growth is completed 

 at the top node ; it is very rarely that a fourth node is reached. It is. 

 seldom that more than one larva in a plant reaches maturity. The 

 exit-hole is usually just above a node. Practically all larvae become 

 mature about 1st October and leave the stalks almost simultaneously. 

 The larvae when free fall to the ground and enter the soil to a depth 

 of 3 or 4 inches if it is firm, or from 8 to 10 inches in soft or cultivated 

 ground. They then form a spherical cell where they lie until the time 

 for pupation in the following summer. Neither the exact time of 

 pupation nor the length of the stage is known. The beetles are 

 difficult to capture, as they remain hidden during the day and are very 

 alert and quick to fly. The degree of infestation in adjoining fields 

 may vary greatly, and may reach practically 100 per cent. It does not 

 seem possible to plant early enough to avoid the attacks of this beetle, 

 as the earhest tassels to appear are always attacked immediately^ 



