WEEVILS. 



221 



4. Balaninus micum, L. {Nut-iceevil). 

 a. Description. 



Beetle 6 to 8 mm. long, oval ; black and covered with 

 yellowish-grey hairy scales. Rostrum very long, thin and 

 curved, reddish-brown. Legs dark rust-brown, with greyish- 

 yellow hairs. 



1). Life-history, etc. 



The beetle pierces hazel and other nuts with 

 whilst the shell is still green, from May to 

 July, making in each nut a single hole as if 

 pierced by a needle, in which an egg is laid. 

 The larva (maggot) eats about half the kernel 

 of the nut, and falling to the ground with 

 the ripe fruit in autumn, gnaws its way out 

 of the shell, and pupates in the earth till 

 next spring. The perfect insect emerges in 

 the summer. Worm-eaten nuts may be 

 distinguished by either of the holes in them. 



The species is common and may diminish 

 the seed yield. An allied species, B. [ilandium, 

 Marsh., chiefly attacks acorns. 



its proboscis. 



nut, bored by 



J}, nueum, L. 



(^Xatural size.) 

 a Hole made by the 



parent beetle. 

 b Exit - hole of 



larva. 



c. Protective Elites. 

 Collection and destruction of the nuts which fall earliest 

 (those infested with larvae). Collection of the beetles by shak- 

 ing. Titmice attack the green nuts to reach the larvae. 



5. Orchestes fcic/i, Gyll. 

 a. Descrijttion. 

 he Beech leaf-miner beetle is 2*5 to 3 mm. long ; black, 

 with fine grey hairs. Elytra with striae of conspicuous, coarse 

 punctures ; rostrum depressed under the body ; antennae and 

 legs bright brown. Hind-legs adapted for leaping, their 

 femora thickened and furnished with a small tooth before the 

 apex. 



