67 



This weevil first appeared, according to the testimony of residents 

 of that vicinity, in 1S98, and has become more numerous each j^ear. 

 At the date of first writing, May 20, from 2 to (> beetles were found 

 on single plants, frequently in pairs. It was concluded, as a result of 

 conversation with many local growers, that the tobacco crop had been 

 attacked even earlier than the specified date, but the cause was not 

 definitely known. 



May 28 some tobacco plants showing infestation were sent to this 

 ofiice. It was discovered a few days before this time that nearlj^ 

 every plant in a four-acre field was aftected. In some neighboring 

 fields it was impossible to find a stalk that did not contain one or 

 more larvte, but all fields were not so badh' afl^ected. 



The larva is locally known as '' pith worm,'' from its habit of boring 

 through the length of plants. 



The beetles were also stated to be doing great damage to tobacco. 



June 12, Mr. Shelfer stated that the beetles were still cutting the 

 leaves and depositing eggs. Owing to the fact that twenty-six days 

 had elapsed at that time since rain had fallen and many nights were 

 without dew, the tobacco crop suffered much, and more especially 

 when this insect was at work in the stalks. During the last week of 

 June and first of rluly we received considerable material from our cor- 

 respondent, the insect being present in the three stages of larva, pupa, 

 and adult at this time. In some stalks the pupal cell was constructed 

 4 inches from the root system, while in others on a level with the 

 surface of the ground. It is evident that in tobacco this insect works 

 in a different manner from that which it employs in other plants which 

 it may infest, the reason being the very woody condition of the lower 

 portions of the stalks. It is evident also that the larvte, after attain- 

 ing maturity or thereabouts, turn and bore upward for the construc- 

 tion of their transformation cells. The lowest individuals will mature 

 first, and those which form their cells higher will mature much later. 

 As a consequence there will be intervals of a week or more between 

 the time of their transformation. Thus it happens that the older 

 individuals must wait for the younger ones to make their exit, since 

 there is hardly space for the former to pass the latter. Some of the 

 insects penetrate to the very tops of the stalks. 



Jamestown weed, which we have record of this insect attacking, was 

 a comparative rarity in that section of Texas, and no other solanaceous 

 plants could be found growing wild within half a mile of the infested 

 fields. At other points (Liberty and Woodville. Tex.) this weed was 

 found, but no weevils, this verifying an opinion hazarded by the writer 

 that the insect was local as well as periodical as regards injuries. 



Mr. J. A. Blohm, of AVillis, verified Mr. Shelf er\s account as to 

 injuries of this stalk weevil, his experience practicall}^ duplicating that 

 of our correspondent in most essential particulars. 



Attack was at first attributed to improper farming. 



