INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE GRAPE VINE: THE VINE WEEVIL. 



Fig. 50. THE VINE 



WEEVIL. 

 Curculio vitis. 



legs, a blunt proboscis, and two antennae. Its length is about three- 

 eighths of an inch, and its habits are nocturnal. The larvae are of 

 a dull white colour, legless, curved, and maggoty in appearance, and 

 seem to have a gregarious tendency. The pupa is soft, of a dirty 

 white tone, and more sensitive than pupae are in general. 



In the larva state, living wholly underground 

 for a period not yet ascertained, this creature 

 feeds upon the Vine roots, and gnaws them 

 almost to a stump, enjoying especially the out- 

 push of young fibres, and following every tender 

 growth. This is the most destructive stage. 

 Then, after about a fortnight passed in the 

 grub state, the weevil issues from the soil, and 

 for several weeks, perhaps, feeds upon the foliage 

 by night, and lurks about the neighbourhood by 

 day. 



To strong and well-established Vines this pest may not do much 

 injury ; to newly-planted canes and those in pots it is often fatal. There 

 seems to be no remedy for who can remove and burn the soil, as is 

 lightly recommended, without destroying the Vine roots too *? except 

 to catch the marauder in his nightly raid, and check the breed. This is 

 done by laying white cloths or paper under the Vine stems, and 

 throwing a bright light on them. Any weevils which do not drop, 

 as some will do at the surprise, may generally be brought down by a 

 sharp shake of the trellis. By frequent care of this throughout the 

 spring and early summer, the plague may be stayed, though nothing 

 will entirely quell it, when once set up. Above all permit no pot 

 plants, such as Eerns, Spiraeas, etc., of tufty and thickety nature to 

 stand near the Vines in spring-time. In these the weevils harbour, 

 and pursue their evil courses ; then the female descends the pot, and 

 the Vine roots support her issue. 



Mr. R. D. Blackmore, of 

 Teddington, who has kindly 

 furnished the foregoing de- 

 scription, has had his Vines 

 greatly injured by this pest. 

 The Vine Tortrix or Moth 

 (Tortrixvitisana),fig. 51. 

 This, according to Kollar, 

 is a moth from the cater- 

 pillar of which the Vines 

 in the neighbourhood of 

 Vienna have suffered much, 

 and it is occasionally met Fig gl> TORTRIX VITISANA . 



With in this country. 1X>1S- The crossed lines indicate the natural size, 



duval, when speaking of (From the Gardeners' Chronicle.) 



