THE MEXICAN COTTON-BOLL WEEVIL 



267 



has become about half grown, the injury to the square is 

 usually so severe that the little leaf-like parts surrounding 

 the bud spread outward and the square turns yellow. In 

 about ten days from the time the egg is laid the square 

 usually falls to the ground, where the larva continues to 



Courtesy U. S. .bur. i-uiumoi^ 



FIG. 175. SQUARE FROM WHICH AN ADULT BOLL WEEVIL HAS EMERGED 



feed within it until fully grown (Fig. 173). This requires 

 only about ten to fifteen days. Dry, hot weather may kill 

 the insects within the fallen squares, especially if the rows 

 of cotton be far enough apart to let in the sunshine. 



The pupa. Within the shelter of the walls of the fallen 



