246 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



would make it seem probable that the true boll weevil might 

 feed on the wild cotton plant as well as on the true cotton. 



The weevils commence to emerge 

 from hibernation soon after cotton 

 is up and continue to emerge until 

 the cotton commences to square 

 freely. During the spring the 

 beetles feed on the foliage, partic- 

 ularly in the tender terminals, and 

 as soon as squares are formed the 

 females commence to lay their 

 eggs in them. Each female lays 



an average of about 140 eggs, lay- 

 FIG. 209. Cotton square with bracts i ng f our or five a day> The f ema l e 

 opened to show weevil at work on . 



the bud, which shows a feeding drills a small cavity in the square 

 puncture. and in it ^0^ a sma ll oval 



white egg, which hatches in about three days. The grub feeds 

 upon the embryo flower, which usually fails to develop, and the 



FIG. 210. The cotton boll weevil; eggs among the anthers at points indi- 

 cated by arrows, the cross-section at the right showing opening through 

 which egg was deposited greatly enlarged. 







infested square generally falls to the ground. In from seven to 

 twelve days the larva is full grown and changes to the pupa, 



