LARGE-CAGE EXPERIMENTS AT DALLAS, TEX., 1905-6. 



51 



toward the close of the experiments in May, when seed was phxnted 

 and cotton began growing before the hist weevils emerged. Some 

 very interesting results were obtained from this method of observa- 

 tion. A majority of the weevils were seen a second time, and some 

 disappeared and reappeared as many as eight times. The longest 

 period between the first and second appearances of any individual 

 was forty-three days. 



Table XXVII. — Intermittent activity of unfed weevils after emergence, at Dallas, Tex., 



1906. 



Number of weevils seen — 



Weevils "rehlbemated' 



Once. 



8.7 



Twice. 



Three times. 



D o 



As has been previously shown, entrance into hibernation is a 

 gradual process and wee\als which have first become quiet may sub- 

 sequently become active and seek other shelter before finally hiber- 

 nating. In a very similar way emergence from hibernation is 

 gradual but extended throughout a longer period of time than is 

 entrance into hibernation. The observations recorded in Table 

 XXVII also show conclusively that weevils may leave their winter 

 quarters during warm days and, failing to find food, they may again 

 become quiet and emerge again after a considerable interval. This 

 fact has an important bearing upon the proposition which is fre- 

 quently advanced by planters of starving the weevils in the spring 

 by deferring the time of planting. While many weevils might perish 

 in this way, it is certain that many more would be able to survive 

 and reappear at intervals, so that there would be plenty of weevils 

 to infest the crop, even though this might be planted as late as is 

 possible to secure any yield. 



Other observations were made upon the intermittent activity of 

 unfed weevils during the spring of 1906. Weevils from Calvert, 

 Victoria, and Brenham, Tex., were tested. The weevils from Cal- 

 vert and Victoria, Tex., had been confined in hibernation cages 

 throughout the winter. Those from Brenham were collected in the 

 field early in March. Noae of these weevils had tasted food after 

 emergence. In these tables the date of death, unless otherwise indi- 

 cated, is considered as having been the middle date between the last 

 examination at which a weevil was found alive and that at which it 

 was found dead. 



