94 THE MEXICAN COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL. 



this cottonseed or sacks used in infested fields may easily be the 

 means of spreading the insect. It is thought probable that a sporadic 

 infestation at Jackson, Miss., in 1908, originated by such means from 

 the heavily infested district around Fayette, Miss. 



UNEXPLAINED SPORADIC OCCURRENCES. 



Infestations at Wichita Falls and Paris, Tex., in 1904, far removed 

 from other infestations, can not be explained. A reported infesta- 

 tion in 1909 at Temple, Okla., is also of the same nature. 



INTENTIONAL TRANSPORTATION OF THE WEEVIL. 



On several occasions it has been found that the boll weevil has been 

 carried into uninfested territory purposely. In some cases the inten- 

 tion has been merely to exhibit live specimens and in others to test 

 supposed remedies. Whatever the purpose of these introductions 

 may be, the practice must be strongly condemned. It is very likely 

 to result in the infestation of localities many years in advance of the 

 time the weevil would reach them by natural means. The result 

 would be a great and unnecessary loss, not only to cotton planters, but 

 to merchants and others dependent upon the cotton trade. In this 

 connection attention is directed to the fact that a Federal statute pro- 

 hibits the interstate shipment of the boll weevil, as well as other 

 important insect pests, and prescribes heavy penalties. 1 This act is 

 reprinted in part, under the heading "Legal Restrictions," on a sub- 

 sequent page. 



In addition to the Federal legislation on this subject practically all 

 of the States in the cotton belt have statutes which prohibit the 

 importation or having in possession of live boll weevils for any purpose 

 whatever. (See the section at the end of this bulletin.) 



HIBERNATION. 2 



There are many popular misconceptions regarding the manner in 

 which the boll weevil passes the winter. For this reason we take the 

 opportunity to point out some general considerations about hiber- 

 nation. 



Many forms of animal life suspend activity during the winter. This 

 is the case with the boll weevil and many other insects, as well as 

 with certain other animals. During this period of inactivity the 

 animals which hibernate derive sufficient nourishment from a supply 

 si oied within the body to maintain life. They obtain no other form of 

 food. In fact, the hibernation period coincides more or less with the 

 periods in which the native food supply is absent. The temperatures 

 which kill the cotton plant force the boll weevil into winter quarters, 

 where it remains with suspended animation until spring. Almost 

 coincident with the first sprout ing of cotton we find the weevils leaving 

 their winter quarters and moving about in the fields. 



1 An act. to prohibit importation or interstate transportation of insect pests, etc. (Act of Mar. 3, 1905, 

 rli. 1501,33 Stat. L., 1269.) 



2 Two excellent publications on tiie hibernal ion of the boll weevil have been issued. These are: "The 

 Hibernation of the Boll Weevil in Centra] Louisiana," by Wilmon Newell and M. s. Dougherty (Cir. 31, 

 La. Crop Pest Commission), and "Hibernal ion of the Mexican Cotton-Boll Weevil," by W. E. Hinds and 

 W. \V. Yothers (Bui. 77, Bur. Ent., U. S. Dept, Agr.). 



