CLAY-COLOURED WEEVIL. 81 



frost and wet, probably a large proportion of the maggots would be 

 got rid of. 



The attacks of this species to leafage and of the maggots to roots 

 of the plants on which the beetles feed (and especially their injuries 

 to Kaspberry plants), with preventive measures, have been entered on 

 before, as also those of the somewhat larger kind, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, 

 figured in its three stages, magnified, at p. 78. This is distinguishable 

 from 0. picipes by being between a third and half an inch in length, 

 and the general colour being of a dull black ; the wing-cases rough, 

 with several raised lines, and spotted with pale hairy tufts. The body 

 between the head and abdomen is granulated, and, like other Otio- 

 rhynchi, the head is furnished with a short proboscis, and the wings 

 are ivanting. 



This kind is known as the Black Vine Weevil from its colour and 

 from its especial infestation of Vines, and is very troublesome also to 

 growers of Maidenhair Ferns ; but, though very injurious, even to the 

 extent of sometimes attacking Turnip crops, it hardly reaches the 

 previously named kind, 0. picipes, in its vast powers of destruction. 

 The method of life and means of prevention and remedy of both kinds 

 are similar, and so also are those of the kind mentioned below, the 

 " Eed-legged Weevil," scientifically 0. tenehncosus. This species is 

 distinguishable from those above mentioned (when fully developed) by 

 having the wing-cases dotted over with spots of delicate yellow down, 

 but when these are rubbed off the beetle is of a shining black. 

 Sometimes, whilst still immature, it is of a reddish pitchy colour. 

 The wing-cases are united to each other, and the legs are generally of 

 a bright chestnut colour. 



This kind was said by John Curtis to be very hurtful to orchard 

 and bush fruits. The beetles are stated to feed on the leaves and 

 young shoots of Plums, Apricots, &c., and the maggots have been 

 found to do much mischief at the roots of bush and ground fruits, as 

 Raspberries, Strawberries, &c. But I have only twice had notes of it 

 as destructive : once in 1883, when I had specimens of it sent me by 

 Prof. Allen Harker as doing mischief to leaves of Strawberries at the 

 Eoyal Agricultural College, Cirencester (see my ' Handbook,' p. 214) ; 

 and in the past season as destructive to Pear leafage. 



On May 5th, Mr. T. Woods, writing to me from Gilhngham, 

 Dorset, with specimens accompanying, remarked : — " This is the third 

 year in succession that the enclosed insect has attacked a young 

 Pear tree growing against the brick gable of a house ; it feeds on 

 the leaves." 



The general means of prevention and remedy for infestation of 

 this species are similar to those for 0. picipes ; but where (as in the 

 above instance) the attacked tree grows against a wall, care should be 



G 



