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The larvae of this weevil are similar in appearance to those of the 

 pea weevil, but are smaller, and instead of only one being found in a 

 bean, Prof. Riley informs us that he has found over a dozen. These, 

 as a matter of course, form different channels for the exit of the per- 

 fect insect. They have, as appears to be the case with all these wee- 

 vils, the habit of leaving the germ untouched, so that the infested 

 beans will sprout and grow the same as those which are free from 

 them. 



This species has seldom been troublesome in this State, and does 

 not appear to be generally distributed. 



It is proper for me to state that Prof. Riley contends that this is not 

 B. obsoletus of Say, but a distinct species which he has named B. fabae, 

 or bean weevil ; but I have followed Crotch's Check-List, considering 

 the two as one species. 



Spec. char. Imago. — Grayish-brown ; head yellowish- gray ; jaws 

 dark-brown ; pulpi black ; antennae reddish at the base ; aprical por- 

 tion dark-brown or black ; terminal joint sometimes pale-reddish ; 

 thorax unspotted, but a paler middle line sometimes visible. Elytra 

 with alternating longitudinal lines of dull yellowish and dusky, 

 though these are sometimes almost or quite obliterated. 



Bruchus granarius. Linn. The Grain Bruchus of Europe. 



I add here a description of this troublesome weevil, which has re- 

 cently been imported from Europe, and in course of time will proba- 

 bly spread throughout our country. In England they are very de- 

 structive to peas and beans, and are very similar in appearance to our 

 common pea-weevil. 



Spec. char. Imago. — Black or dark gray; antennae at the base and 

 the anterior legs reddish; the lateral margins of the thorax some- 

 what sinuate but not dentate, the central portion covered with 

 pale pubescence, with two white spots; also near the base a tri- 

 angular white spot. Elytra varied with white or gray or dark. Apex 

 of the abdomen ashy white, sometimes with two black spots, some- 

 times without them; femora dentate or notched. 



Length from one eighth to three twentieths of an inch. 



Remedies. — The remedies applicable to one of these species are 

 generally applicable to the others. Heating the beans or peas while 

 the larvae are in them is the most certain method of destroying them. 

 This may be done by imersing in hot water, or by hot steam or hot 

 air, care being taken not to destroy the vitality of the seed. 



CURCULIOXIDyE— (Snout weevils or Curculios. 



This family is one of the most numerous in species of any belong- 

 ing to the order, all of which are more or less injurious to vegetation. 

 Their bodies are always of an oval form, never being very much 

 elongated or depressed. The front part of the head is more or less 

 elongated into a distinct snout, sometimes short and broad, but some- 

 times it is as long as the body, and almost as slender as a hair. 

 e— 8 



