24 BEAN BKUCHUS. 



produced by a paucity or absence of the pubescence. 

 The under side is black or piceous, very finely punc- 

 tured, and has a similar pubescence to the upper side ; 

 the sides and the apex of the abdomen and the pygidium 

 are dull red. The legs are entirely dull red, with the 

 exception of the posterior femora, which are black on 

 the under side, and have a small acute tooth near the 

 apex. The length of the body is 4 millm. 



Of the British Bruchi this species is most nearly 

 allied to B. loti. Compared with our well-known Bean- 

 seed Beetle (B. rufimanus, Boh.), it is smaller, rather 

 more depressed above, has a narrower thorax, without 

 teeth at the sides, and has the posterior femora furnished 

 with a small acute tooth near the apex ; the colour of 

 the middle and hind legs, and the markings on the elytra 

 are also different. 0. E. J. 



Judging both from the specimens and the descrip- 

 tions forwarded, the attack of this Seed-weevil is 

 seriously hurtful. In two of the beans figured above 

 I found four holes showing where beetles had escaped, 

 in another seven beetles had been present, and in 

 another I found five beetles or coloured chrysalids still 

 within. Mr. S. D. Bairstow reported that " This pest, 

 when in larval condition, reduces the interior of the 

 seed to a fine powder, and passes into pupa sometimes in 

 its powdery bed, which disappears almost immediately 

 on the emergence of the perfect insect." Mr. Bairstow 

 also mentions that the kind of bean which these Seed- 

 weevils most attack is the Sugar-bean (a white one), 

 but that many varieties of beans are grown which they 

 attack also. 



The common method of proceeding of Bruchi that 

 is, of Pea- or Bean-seed Weevils is for the female 

 beetle to lay her eggs on the young pod or seed-vessel 

 whilst still in its early state in the flower. From these 

 eggs the maggots hatch and eat their way into the 

 seeds it may be one maggot or it may be several to 

 each seed and within this seed they usually feed till 



