Insects Injurious to the Apple. 



119 



THE LEAF WEEVILS. 



(Phyllolnus niaculicornis, Germ., and P. oblungus, Linn, etc.) 



The Leaf Weevils are found on all kinds of vegetation, and several 

 species are common to not only many kinds of fruit but also to 

 various forest trees and shrubs. 



The colours of the weevils are usually shades of brown, clay 

 colour or metallic greens, some almost golden-green. 



Two species are more prominent than others on fruit trees and 

 bushes, namely, the Green Leaf Weevil (Phyllobius maculicornis, 

 Germ.) and the Oblong Leaf Weevil (P. oblongus, Linn.). 



The former species we find feeding on apple, pear, cherry, plum 

 and especially nuts, and it also occurs on oak, hawthorn, sloe and 

 maple. In colour it is brown, clothed with bright green, bluish- 



m. 



1 2 3 



FIG. 97. LEAF WEEVILS (PhijllobillS). 



1, Phyllobius maculicornis. 2, P. oblongus. 3, P. uniformis. 

 (X 3.) 



green or golden-yellow scales ; slightly hairy ; antennae reddish, with 

 black, club-like apices ; legs black and brown. In length they vary 

 from ^ to nearly 1 inch. 



The Oblong Leaf Weevil (Phyllobius oblongus, Linn.) is about the 

 same size as the former. The body is black, the elytra covered with 

 dull brown scales, with a reddish tinge or pale grey, the borders dark, 

 almost black, head and thorax covered with grey pubescence and also 

 the elytra ; legs brown or yellowish. 



The damage these beetles do is twofold: first, they nibble the 

 young opening buds ; and then, later, they attack the leaves. 



Several correspondents have written complaining of them in 

 apple blossom, and it seems from some I kept under observation that 

 they gnaw the parts of the blossom and stop the fructification. 



