Insects and Other Enemies 



339 



white larva or grub begins to feed inside the plum. 

 Usually it penetrates to the stone, where it feeds upon 

 the surrounding flesh; or it may even gnaw into the 

 young, soft pit. 



The work of the beetle may be first detected by 

 the crescent-shaped marks in the skin of the fruit; but 

 as soon as the larva begins to feed, small drops of whit- 

 ish gum can be seen exuding at the point of puncture. 

 Fruits attacked by the curculio usually drop sooner 

 or later. This dropping from the curculio's work con- 

 tinues throughout the season, as one plum and another 



THE PLUM CURCULIO, Magnified 



succumb to their injuries. A few plums may hang on 

 till picked, though two or three larvae may be at work 

 in them. The principal season of "plum drop" from 

 curculio damage, however, occurs when the fruit is 

 about half grown. 



The curculio seems to prefer thin-skinned plums; 

 but it is more partial to some varieties than others 

 without regard to the thickness of their skins. Many 

 nurserymen of more or less conscience have offered, 

 from time to time, many "curculio-proof" varieties of 

 plums. Nevertheless, it is well known to-day that no 



