48 



seem to be the most seriously injured (PL I, fig. 2, a). By means of 

 the sharp mandibles at the end of the snout the weevil will bore its 

 wa}^ through the pod, eating from the center in a circle as far as the 

 length of the proboscis will permit, sometimes increasing the dis- 

 tance by forcing the head and thorax into the ojDening made. A 

 number of such punctures in a tender bud or young pepper will soon 

 cause it to fall to the ground. 



REMEDIAL SUGGESTIONS. 



In view of the fact that the discovery of the work of this insect 

 was made so late in the season that no experiments in the application 

 of insecticides or other remedial measures could be performed, it is 

 impossible at present to describe any sure method of destruction. A 

 few suggestions, however, may prove of value to those who are 

 directly interested. From the knowledge already gained concern- 

 ing the feeding habits of the adult insect, which are very similar to 

 those of the Mexican cotton-boll weevil, it is evident that the use of 

 internal or stomach poisons, such as Paris green, would not give sat- 

 isfactory results. Since the area devoted to the cultivation of pep- 

 l^ers is not, as a rule, very extensive, there is one remedial measure 

 which may be advised with some assurance of success, i. e., the gath- 

 ering and destroying of the infested fallen fruit. As a general rule 

 the peppers found upon the ground contain larva^, pupa^, and even 

 adult weevils in large numbers. If the fruit thus fallen be collected 

 and destroyed by luirning, or some other equally certain method, 

 immense numbers of the weevils will be killed and the future crop 

 protected to a certain extent from further infestation. If the fruit 

 is allowed to remain on the ground, however, it will furnish a favor- 

 able opportunity for the development of the immature stages within 

 the pods, and the adult weevils emerging therefrom will at once 

 attack the peppers which may have escaped previous injury. The 

 expense involved in this procedure would be slight, since the work 

 may be done by unskilled persons with a reasonable chance of success. 

 Judging from Avhat has been learned of the life history of the insect, 

 it is safe to say that, beginning as early in the season as the young 

 buds or peppers begin to drop, a collection should be made as often 

 as every fifth or seventh day, gathering not only all fallen fruit, but 

 also all buds and pods still on the jDlants showing an unhealthy color, 

 a deformity of shape, or any other sign of having been attacked. 

 Whether the infestation be severe or slight, the interval between the 

 collections, if this method of control be adopted, will be the same, 

 since the interval depends upon the developmental period and not 

 upon the abundance of the fallen fruit. If the collection of the 

 fallen fruit be steadily followed up, the damage done by the weevil 

 can, in all probability, be very largely prevented. 



