THE PLUM CURCULIO. 23 



less distinct one above it. The under part is reddish- 

 brown, and the head is yellowish or pale brown. When 

 fully grown, it measures about five lines in length. As 

 soon as it reaches its full growth the larva deserts the 

 fruit, which usually falls to the ground before ripening, 

 and enters the earth to the depth of a few inches, where 

 it forms a small cell in which to pass the pupa state (see 

 Fig. 4). 



" It remains in the pupa state about three weeks, when 

 the change to the perfect insect takes place. 



"The perfect insect (see Fig. 5, magnified) is about two 

 lines long, and is of a dark brown colour, variegated with 

 white, yellow, and black. The snout is rather longer than 

 the thorax, the latter being uneven. The wing cases have 

 two black tubercles on them, one on the middle of each 

 suture ; behind these is a broad band of dull yellow and 

 white. The thighs have two small teeth on the under- 

 side. 



" This insect lives not only in the fruits mentioned at the 

 head of this article, but -also in the. black-knot infesting 

 plum and cherry trees. 



" The perfect beetle feeds not only upon the fruit, but 

 also upon the leaves, and even the bark of newly-formed 

 twigs does not escape its attacks. 



" The number of broods which this insect produces in 

 a year is not definitely known, but most authors regard it 

 as being single brooded. 



u The perfect beetles hibernate beneath pieces of wood, 

 &c., lying upon the ground. 



" I am not aware that this insect has, up to date, been 

 found in California, but as we have received so many in- 

 jurious insects from the East, it is not improbable that 

 the Plum Curculio will make its appearance amongst us. 

 The greatest care should be taken to prevent its importa- 

 tion on nursery stock from infested districts." 



Remedies recommended. 



To 1 lb. of whale-oil soap add 4 oz. of flour of sul- 

 phur, mix thoroughly and dissolve in 12 gallons of water. 



