152 Insetts and Diseases. 



dusting of white hellebore, found so effectual for the currant-worm, 

 would destroy it. 



The Curculio (Rynchcenus nenuphar, Conotrachelus nemiphar, of 

 some writers), represented in the annexed figure (Fig. 187), is a small 

 insect not more than the fourth of an inch long, of a dark brown 

 color, the sheaths covering the wings slightly variegated with lighter 

 colors, the body resembling in size and appearance a ripe hempseed. 

 It is distinguished by an elongation of the head, resembling a con- 

 spicuous rostrum or beak projecting from the front part of its thorax. 



About the time the young fruit attains the size of a pea, the cur- 



Fig. 187. Curculio. Fig. 188. Young Plum, stung by Curcnlio. 



Magnified twice. 



culio begins its work of destruction. It makes a small crescent- 

 shaped incision in the young fruit, and lays its egg in the opening. 

 The presence of the egg may be easily detected by these incisions 

 upon the surface ; the above figure (Fig. 188) represents one of 

 these magnified twice in diameter. The egg soon hatches into a 

 small white larva, which enters the body of the fruit and feeds upon 

 it, causing, usually, its premature fall to the ground. 



The period at which the young fruit falls, after being punctured, 

 varies with its age at the time of the injury. Those first injured 

 drop in about two weeks ; but if the stone is hard when the egg is laid, 

 the fruit remains till near the usual period of ripening, sometimes 

 presenting a fair and smooth exterior, but spoiled by the worm within. 



The insect, soon after the fall of the fruit, makes its way into the 

 earth, where it is transformed into the perfect insect or beetle, to lay 

 its eggs and perpetuate its race. 



The curculio travels by flying, but only during quite warm weather, 

 or in the heat of the day. The insects mostly confine themselves to 

 certain trees, or to the same orchard. But the fact that newly bear- 

 ing and isolated orchards are soon attacked, clearly shows that in 



