COLEOPTERA 



ion 



6. COLEOPTERA 



The members of this order are distinguished by the pres- 

 ence of elytra (hardened wing-covers) which meet in a 

 straight line down the middle of the back. More than 

 one hundred thousand species are known. 



The snout beetles or weevils (Rhyncophora) comprise over 

 four thousand species, all of which are injurious. The 

 plum curculio (Conotrechelus nenuphar) 

 is familiar to every one in its larval 

 state as the footless white grub present 

 in so many plums, cherries, and apricots, 

 causing the unripe fruit to fall to the 

 ground. The larva then enters the earth, 

 soon becomes a quiescent pupa, and a 

 fortnight later has completed its trans- 

 formation to an adult beetle. It may 

 be found on the plum and cherry trees from May until 

 August. An easy method of col- 

 lecting them is to hold an open 

 umbrella or sheet beneath the tree 

 and shake it vigorously. 



The nut weevil (Balininus) is 

 easily recognized by its long snout. 

 Chestnuts harboring the larvse of 

 this weevil are spoken of as being 

 wormy. The eggs are laid in 

 August or September, and the 

 larvae leaving the chestnuts in late 

 FIG. 119. -Photograph of lar- autumn enter the ground to pu- 



va and adult nut weevil en- . 



hree times, pate and remain until the next 



FIG. 118. Photograph 

 of plum curculio en- 

 arged three times. 



