This sj)ecies, like the other Aveevils under consideration, is native to 

 America and is knoAvn from Rhode Ishmd to Virginia, the District of 

 Cohimbia, southern Ohio, and Tennessee, and westward to Kansas. 

 The geographical distribution of this and the other nut weevils has as 

 3'et not been carefully studied, but in all probability it is considerably 

 more extensive than above stated. 



In some regions this species is quite generally known as the chin- 

 (|uai:)in weevil, but the investigations conducted during 1904 indicate 

 that, although it breeds in chinquapins and more commonly in chest- 

 nuts, it occurs in greater abundance in the larger imported nuts. 



THE LESSER CHESTNl T WEEVIL. 



(BaJaitiinis rectus Say.) 



The lesser chestnut weevil (fig. 5) has the scape of the antenna 

 longer than in the preceding species and the first joint longer than 



the second.'^ The average 

 length of the body is about one- 

 fourth of an inch, but the size 

 varies, as in all of these insects. 

 The distribution of this 

 species extends from Canada 

 and Massachusetts to North 

 Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio, 

 and ])rol)ably farther west- 

 Avard. The writer has seen sets 

 of specimens labeled "Arizona." 

 Although in some localities the 

 larger species is much more in 

 evidence, taken all in all. the 

 lesser weevil is the more com- 

 mon and is probably even more widely disseminated. 



The egg has not come under observation, but is undoubtedly very 

 similar to that of the preceding, being proportionately smaller, which 

 is true of the remaining stages. 



The larva is only a third of an inch long and its length is about 

 three times its width. The body is milk-white and the head light 

 bi-ownish yellow, while the A.-mark has a short lateral branch each 

 side. 



The pupa differs from that of the larger species by size and by 

 characters shown in figure G, Avhich illustrates the male. 



"In the larger species the first joint (otnittlng. the scape) Is shorter than the 

 second. In the female rcctuft the rostrum is strongly curved, the thorax is 

 longer than wide, and the elytra are strongly acuminate aplcally. The tooth 

 with which the thighs are armed is small, with the entering angle rounded. 

 [Cir. 99] 



Fig. 5. — Lesser chestnut weevil (Balaninus rectus) 

 adult: a, Female, dorsal view; 6, female, lateral 

 view; c, head of male. Much enlarged (author's 

 illustration). 



