ae 
THE MEXICAN COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL. - 
(Anthonomus grandis Boh. ) 
LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS. 
ADULT. 
Size—The full-grown weevils (fig. 1) vary in size from three-six- 
teenths to three-eighths of an inch in length. They are quite active 
when traveling, but fly rather sluggishly. The size of the adult fre- 
quently depends upon the food supply which the larva has had. The 
writer has known eggs to be laid into squares no larger than a small 
pea, and the small 
white larva would 
feed upon the con- 
tents of this until 
all was consumed, 
and then transform 
into the adult wee- 
vil of not more than 
half the normal size. 
This shows the adapt- 
ability of this pest to 
its food supply. 
Color.—The color *** cee ; . 
5 ee Fig. 1.—The Mexican cotton-boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis): c, 
of the adult varies adult beetle; b, pupa; c, larva—all enlarged. (After Howard.) 
somewhat, depend- 
ing upon the age of the weevil examined. A newly transformed 
weevil is whitish all over. As it gets older the body becomes choco- 
late in color, The wings at first turn a clear wine color and then 
darker, later becoming slightly hairy or pubescent. Down the middle 
of the upper surface of the thorax this pubescence becomes so dense 
and somewhat longer that it forms a whitish line. Some adults are 
found whose body color is essentially black instead of a dull choco- 
late. Again, some are more distinctly light brown. The pubescence 
soon wears off somewhat and then the weevils look darker. ‘This 
accounts for the frequent confusion among planters as to what the 
genuine weevil is and how it looks. 

ears 
5 
