SECTION XLVIII. THE MEXICAN COTTON- 

 BOLL WEEVIL 



IN the Southern states where cotton is grown, the most 

 important insect for you to know about is the Mexican cot- 

 ton-boll wcn>il. This 

 insect (Fig. i 72) 

 feeds only upon cot- 

 ton, but its injury to 

 this is very serious. 



It came into the 

 United States from 

 Mexico about 1892, 

 and has since spread 

 throughout most of 

 the cotton-growing 

 portions of Texas and 

 Louisiana, and over 

 the southern parts of 

 Oklahoma and Ar- 

 kansas. During the 

 fall of 1907 it crossed 



Fio. 172. THE COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL 

 (i) adult; (2) egg, much enlarged; (3) larva; 

 (4) pupa; (5) adult, back view; (6) side 

 view, all enlarged. 



the Mississippi River 

 into a few of the 

 southwestern coun- 

 ties of Mississippi. It is very certain to continue its spread 

 throughout the other cotton-growing states. The injury 



264 



