The Apple Blossom Weevil. (Anthonomue Pomorum.) 



(PLATE VIII.) 



This insect frequently causes much harm to apple and pear 

 trees. In the last four or five years its injuries have much 

 increased in fruit-producing districts, and in some instances 

 they have been attributed to the caterpillars of the Winter 

 Moth. Close examination of the blossoms has, however, shown 

 that the larvae, or maggots, of the beetle were in the centres of 

 the flowers, destroying their powers of fructification, though at 

 the same time caterpillars were feeding upon the blossoms and 

 leaves. The action of this beetle upon the fruit-blossoms of 

 apple and pear trees is also often taken for the effects of white 

 frosts, when the petals have become brown or rusty coloured ; 

 but if they are closely examined, either the pupa of the weevil 

 will be found within them, or the little round hole in the side 

 of the withered flower-bud will be noticed, showing that the 

 perfected weevil has cut its way out of its cradle. 



The blossoms of pear trees are attacked in a similar manner 

 by this weevil, and great mischief is sometimes caused, especially 

 in orchards where pear and apple trees are planted together. 



In France this weevil has lately occasioned incredible damage 

 in the orchards of Brittany and Normandy. So great have the 

 losses been in the Department of Morbihan that a syndicate of 

 defence against it (Syndicat de defense centre 1'Anthonome) has 

 been formed at Pontivy, consisting of a committee in each 

 Commune, to carry out a series of operations calculated to 

 destroy this enemy of apple -growers. It is only by unity of 

 action among cultivators that injurious insects of this and many 

 other kinds can be stamped out, and their baneful effects upon 

 crops materially decreased. 



Description of the Weevil. 



The apple blossom weevil is a very small creature, only about 

 one-fourth of an inch long, and not the eighth of an inch across its 

 body. It is reddish, or chestnut brown, with down, or pubescence, 

 of a greyish hue upon it. Some specimens are almost piceous in 

 colour. The wing-cases have pale marks upon them below the 

 middle. There is a conspicuous white mark, or scutellum, at 

 the base of the wing-cases. The legs are reddish ; the thighs of 

 the anterior, or first, pair are large and furnished with a 

 formidable tooth on each ; and the feet, or tarsi, are darker 

 coloured. Its rostrum, or snout, is the most remarkable feature, 

 being half as long as its body, slightly curved, with antennfe 

 near its extremity, furnished with oval clubs having four joints. 



Like many other weevils it falls down when disturbed, tucks 

 in its snout and legs, and remains motionless, feigning death 

 until the danger has passed. 



