27 



ever been under observation by the writer. Its color is rather pale yellowish-brown, 

 with exceptions of the first thoracic segment, which is chitinous, and the head, which 

 is dark brown. The latter is illustrated at c (fig. 1). A large proportion of the head 

 is divided into irregular reticulated areas, giving the appearance of very large eyes. 

 As will be seen in the illustration, the segments are quite distinct, and there are 

 9 spiracles, including 8 abdominal ones. The length, when in somewhat retracted 

 position, is about IJ inches. In many respects this species resembles that of 

 R. palmaruni; hence a detailed description is scarcely necessary, as nearly two pages 

 have been devoted to the description of that species in Blandford's article pre- 

 viously quoted. It should be stated, however, that Horn, quoting LeConte as 

 authority, says that these stigmata are completely absent, because neither of these 

 specialists had an opportunity of observing fresh alcoholic specimens, and drew 

 their deductions from "a carefully prepared skin." 



The pupa (fig. 1,/), in specimens which the writer has had under observation, is of 

 a similar color to the larva, and is noticeably larger than the beetle, a rather unusual 

 matter with pupte, but readily accounted for because the pupa is necessarily rather 

 delicate, while the beetle is decidedly hard like all of its kind and quite compact. 

 The length of four pupa? before the writer afford an average of If inches. This 

 species appears to be most abundant in Florida, but is recorded as occurring from 

 South Carolina to Louisiana. 



REMEDIAL TREATMENT. 



Owing to the somewhat peculiar habits of these weevils and their 

 resistance to poison, we can not treat them by any single method, but 

 must employ several, both cultural and mechanical. Perhaps one of 

 the best preventives that has been suggested consists in. cutting- 

 down or wounding several young trees or wild species of palm or 

 palmetto which may be found growing in the vicinity of the date or 

 cocoanut trees to be protected. The sap which exudes f roiu the dead 

 or wounded trees ferments and acts as a strong attraction to the 

 beetles. Frequently a multitude are thus attracted and can be cap- 

 tured without trouble and killed before they have had time to oviposit. 

 The trunks of felled trees soon become filled with larva?, and infented 

 portions should be sawed off and burned before the insects matnre, 

 leaving the remainder of these trunks to act as traps for other insects. 

 It is also recommended that care be taken in the choice of sites for 

 new plantations, undue proximity to what is known as a " cohoon " ridge 

 being avoided, and that all stumps and felled trees not used as traps 

 be promptly destroyed. Tharough drainage and wide planting are 

 also advised. The trees should be left as far as possible in a natural 

 state and unnecessary trinmiing should be avoided. Wounds might 

 be dressed with any mixture that would deter the beetle from attack- 

 ing them and prevent fermentation, such as tar or grafting wax. 



The beetles can easily be killed by dropping them into hot water. 



Some of the remedies above described Avere first suggested b}^ Mr. 

 Blandford (loc. cit.) and others by this Division. 



Mr. Seay is most successful in the treatment of the palm weevil by 

 the use of traps, which have been in use for man}' years bj^ himself 



