137 



[Fig. 68.] 



cases, while the gouger is clay or ochre yellow in front, and a dull lead 

 or clay color behind, and without any tubercles. 



The curculio cuts a crescent slit wherever it deposits an egg, while 

 the gouger bores a round hole; the larva of the former resides in the 

 fleshy part of the fruit and goes into the ground to undergo its trans- 

 formations, while the latter enters the stone and remains in the fruit; 

 the curculio is single brooded, while the gouger is (probably) single 

 brooded ; the fruit stung by the curculio usually falls prematurely, 

 while that infested by the gouger remains on the tree but ripens 

 prematurely. 



Remedies. — The striking similarity in many respects between this 

 species and the apple curculio, with which it is congeneric, will be 

 noticed from the particulars here given, hence any remedy applicable 

 toone is likely to be applicable to the other. Thus far nothing feasible 

 has been suggested, unless it be jarring the trees to bring down the pre- 

 maturely ripened fruit which may then be gathered and destroyed. 

 I am not aware that the experiment has been tried, hence it is un- 

 certain whether this will prove of any practical value. 



Conotrachelus nenuphar— Herbst. (Plum-curculio). 



This is undoubtedly the most, destruc- 

 tive weevil with which theorchardisthas 

 to contend ; in fact its operations have 

 become so extensive that the raising of 

 plums has been almost entirely aban- 

 doned in some sections of the country. 

 It is of a dark brown color, variegated 

 with spots of white, ochre-yellow and 

 black ; the snout is rather longer than 

 the thorax ; the surface of the latter _ is 

 uneven ; the wing-cases have two shin- 

 ing black humps or tubercles on them, 

 one on each case about the middle close 

 Conotrachelus nenuphar, Herbst:— , ,, „,, + ,,,,£. V»oV>inrl tVip<5p i<? abroad 

 Plum and peach curculio-a, larva : 6, to the SUtUie, behind tnese IS d, urodu 

 pupa: c, beetle; d, a plum, showing u an( J n f ^ u \\ yellow and white; each 

 the crescent slit made by the female . , "i;++l„ +™+U ™ tVio nnrlor 



after depositing her egg. thigh has two little teeth on the under- 



side. It varies in length from a little over one-eighth to one-fifth of an 

 inch. When disturbed it has a habit of drawing up its legs, and 

 bending its snout under its breast, when it is easily mistaken for a 

 knofc or wart on a limb or fragment of bark. 



This species has been so long and so well known, it would seem no 

 part of its history could be left in doubt, yet there are points in re- 

 gard to which there still appears to be some difference of opinion. 

 I shall therefore first give its history so far as it appears to be uni- 

 versally agreed upon, and then mention the disputed points : 



The beetles usually come forth from their winter quarters in May 

 and June, some appearing in the southern part of the state as early 

 as April and from that time on during the season as late as June, ac- 

 cording to the latitude and the season. The female when about to 

 deposit her e^gs makes a minute cut with the jaws at the tip of her 

 snout, and thrusting her snout into this enlarges it sufficiently for the 

 reception of an egg. Then turning round she drops an egg into the 



