299 



. cotton fields iu many instances with dry dead leaves on the gronnd 

 anjoiig- the green plants, notably at Beeville and at San Diego, althongh 

 planters often contend that the leaves stay on the plants until they 

 crumble or blow away. Weevils were also found in Allende on the 

 cold day above referred to (^STovember 23) around the base of plants, 

 under dry fallen leaves. 



In fields where neither cracks, clods, nor fallen leaves exist, as hap- 

 pens often in southern Texas, where the plants remain green until late 

 in winter, I am inclined to think that many weevils winter in the 

 squares and under the leaves at the base of the bolls. At Alice and 

 lieuavides, Tex., the plants were perfectly green December 12, there 

 having been no frost. In a field there, on that date, I found weevils 

 very numerous inside the squares, as many as four in one square; also 

 at the bases of the bolls. Many were neither feeding nor ovipositing, 

 but were perfectly inactive. The squares afford excellent protection to 

 the weevils in cold or in rainy weather. During rainy weather in San 

 Juan Allende (November 28) weevils were found numerously huddled 

 in the squares by threes and fours. 



At Monelova occasional frosts occur, and very light ones at Matamoras 

 and Brownsville. It is not probable that even freezing would affect the 

 weevil, as it is a hardy insect; but it is safe to say that it can withstand 

 as great a degree of frost as can the cotton plant. 



PAa.ASITE»S AND PROBABLE ENEMIES. 



In San Diego, December 6, I found a hymenopterous parasite in the 

 larval state on a larva of the weevil in its cell. This pupated about 

 December 15. Aj^parently the same parasite was found, also on a larva, 

 in San Juan Allende, November 20. At the latter place adults of a 

 small black hymenopterous parasite, which may attack the weevil, were 

 plentiful in the fields. 



Larvie of Syrphus flies are often met with in the squares. These 

 most probably feed on aphides, though it is just possible that they may 

 attack the small larvne of the weevil. 



In San Juan Allende a pretty little cocci nellid was very common in 

 the squares, as were also several species of Scymnus, and it is quite 

 possible that these may attack the eggs or young larvtc. 



As worthy of notice, it should be mentioned that on several occa- 

 sions a small spider that mimics the weevil was found in the squares 

 with the weevils. 



A fungoid parasite, a species of Cordyceps, apparently, was found 

 growing out of a dead pupa iu its cell in a boll, November 26, in a 

 field in San Juan Allende. 



ITS ORIGINAL HABITAT AND HISTORY OF ITS SPREAD. 



It seems proven beyond much doubt, from repeated testimony 

 received, that the original home of this insect is the region around 

 Monelova, in the state of Coahuila, Mexico. Monelova is about 150 



