TURNIP-SEED WEEVIL, AND GNAT MIDGE. 129 
The weevils are not quite the sixth of an inch long, including the 
proboscis (see figure, p. 126). The colour is black when the specimens 
are old or have been rubbed, but when freshly developed the coating 
of fine white or greyish hairs gives them a grey appearance. There 
may be two broods during the season. The last lives through the 
winter, and when the beetles come out they feed on the flowering 
shoots of Turnip, Mustard, or allied plants, and Rape is especially 
recorded by continental observers as being attacked. 
Consequently on its various methods of injuriousness, this weevil 
is only too well known as one of our regular crop pests; and in 1891, 
which was one of the years in which it was specially observed in 
company with the Turnip-flower Beetle, the mischief caused by the 
joint attacks near Kelvedon, in Essex, and Cardington, Bedfordshire, 
was severe. 
In that year Mr. John Moss and Mr. Geo. Malden (of the above 
localities) were good enough to place in my hands notes of treatment 
which to some degree lessened the amount of mischief from these two 
kinds of beetle infestations, and which are given, with details of the 
habits, and likewise figures of both kinds, in my Annual Report for 
that year. 
But the Cecidomyia attack appears to be confined to suction of the 
unripe seeds, and if some of my correspondents in the coming season 
should be kindly disposed to send me some specimens of prematurely 
ripening Turnip pods, I think it might be of serviceable interest to 
find whether this little Gnat Midge attack is not more generally dis- 
tributed than is at present known of. 
