198 GUY A. K. MARSHALL. — A NEW WEEVlL ATTACKING PlNE-APPLES. 



a little longer than broad (7 : 6), the sides almost parallel from the base to the middle, 

 thence narrowing in a curve and with a well-marked subapical constriction, the 

 basal margin with a rather pronounced median lobe, bordered by a distinct carina 

 which is not continued beyond the lobe ; the upper surface quite flat with very 

 minute scattered punctures, except along a narrow central line in the basal half, 

 and a few coarser punctures at the extreme apex of the basal lobe. Scutellum lancet- 

 shaped, impunctate, deeply hollowed at the base to receive the prothoracic lobe. 

 Elytra much longer than the prothorax (12 : 7), broadest at the shoulders and very 

 gradually narrowed behind, striae 1 to 6 narrow and impunctate, wider and deeper 

 at the base, the outer striae with rows of small shallow punctures becoming finer 

 and shallower at the base, the intervals almost flat, with minute irregular punctures. 

 Sternum : the prosternum coarsely punctate, except the space between and behind 

 the coxae, which is impunctate, the punctures diminishing towards the sides ; the 

 inter-coxal piece of the mesosternum impunctate, the remainder and the side-pieces 

 with shallow separated punctures ; the metasternum very shiny and with very minute 

 scattered punctures, the side-pieces more opaque. Venter in the middle similar to 

 the metasternum, but with the punctures a trifle more evident and becoming much 

 stronger towards the sides, the last segment with a shallow depression at the apex 

 containing coarse confluent punctures. Legs with fine scattered punctation ; coxae 

 with a small tuft of reddish hairs ; the femora with a few minute hairs on the lower 

 surface ; the tibiae with two carinae on the lower edge each bearing a fringe of hairs, 

 those on the mid tibiae short, on the front pair longer, on the hind pair short with 

 a conspicuous tuft of long hairs in the middle (fig. 1, c). 



$ unknown. 



Length (excluding rostrum), 19"5-20"5 mm. ; breadth, 7-7'5 mm. 



Jamaica : Above Kocks District {A. H. Ritchie). 



Although this insect has a somewhat different appearance from that of any other 

 species of Metamasius, it presents all the essential characters of the genus indicated 

 by Mr. G. C. Champion (Biol. Cent. Amer., Ins. Col. iv, pt. 7, p. 103). It lacks the 

 characteristic torpedo-like shape ; the prothorax is broader and flatter than in the 

 other species, the basal lobe is more pronounced, and the restriction of the basal 

 carina is peculiar, for in all the other forms it extends almost or quite to the posterior 

 angles ; and finally, in the normal species the mentum has a shallow longitudinal 

 impression. 



Mr. Ritchie states that all the pine-apple growers are agreed that this weevil made 

 its appearance in the district, which is one of the best pine-producing areas in the 

 island, about four years ago, and has grown steadily worse until this year, when it is 

 estimated that 75 per cent, of the pines have been lost. As a rule, plant pines are not 

 attacked, and it is principally ratoon pines that are damaged, only one ratoon crop 

 being grown. According to Mr. Ritchie's observations the plants may be attacked 

 at various points. Sometimes the root stock is bored, or again the fruit stalk is 

 hollowed out and collapses ; a favourite place of attack is the junction of the fruit 

 and stalk, when the grub proceeds into the fruit and riddles it, or the heart may be 

 attacked before the pine-apple has shot above the leaves. 



In addition to the black weevil Mr. Ritchie found numerous specimens of a brown 

 weevil, Metamasius sericeus, Oliv., but he is of the opinion that presence of this 

 species is merely secondary, it being attracted from the surrounding bananas by the 

 decaying pines killcnl b}- M. ritchiei. 



