42 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA : 



large numbers of tomatoes and other plants at Ascot Vale, 

 Essendon, Preston, and other places near Melbourne. 

 These insects are simply in thousands in some gardens, 

 and destroy nearly all kinds of vegetables. One grower 

 informs me that he lost 80 fine tomato plants in one 

 night, and that on one evening alone he collected no less 

 than 638 of the beetles in the course of an hour, and in a 

 week he estimates he captured and destroyed some 

 thousands. The insects conceal themselves in the soil 

 and debris in the daytime, and at night come out to feed. 

 They devour the whole plant very rapidly, and, should 

 they be disturbed or a light be brought near them, they 

 immediately drop to the ground, and get out of sight as 

 soon as possible." 



It is very remarkable that this weevil, although in such 

 large numbers, has hitherto been unrecorded, but it is 

 one of those entomological enigmas which are frequently 

 making themselves manifest ; hence the great value of 

 the study of economic entomology. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



Some tomatoes sprayed with arsenate of lead were 

 placed in an observation box by Mr. C. French, jun., and 

 50 of the beetles were liberated and turned adrift into the 

 box. They at once commenced to feed, with the result 

 that they were all dead within 24 hours. As the weevils 

 are in the ground close to the plant during the day, I would 

 advise that the soil be continually turned up, and that 

 fowls be placed in the coops close to the plants. 



Another good plan would be to hold an expanded 

 umbrella under the plants, giving them a sharp jar or 

 shake, thereby catching the beetles in thousands. They 

 can then be destroyed by burning or scalding. Many of 

 this family of weevils are very tenacious of life, so the 

 water must be boiling or as near to it as possible. Trap 

 crops of anything palatable to the insects should be 

 planted near to the tomatoes, and sprayed with arsenate 



