CHAPTER XIV 



LEAF-ROLLERS 



THE attainments of the Curculionid mother are, generally 

 speaking, limited to inserting her eggs at places where 

 the grubs will find suitable nourishment and occasionally 

 varying the diet with a botanical judgment of marvellous 

 certainty. She displays little or no industry. The 

 niceties of the feeding-bottle or the baby-linen do not 

 concern her. To this rough conception of the duties of 

 maternity, I know but one exception, the attribute of 

 certain Weevils, who, in order to endow their young with 

 an alimentary preserve, possess the art of rolling a leaf, 

 which serves as board and lodging in one. 



Among these manufacturers of vegetable sausages, the 

 most skilful is the Poplar Weevil (Rhynchites Populi, 

 Lin.), who is modest hi proportions, but resplendent in 

 attire. Her back is clad in gleaming gold and copper ; 

 her back is indigo blue. Would you see her at work, 

 you need but visit the lower twigs of the common black 

 poplar, at the edge of the meadows, about the end of 

 May. 



Whereas, up at the top, the fond spring breezes shake 

 the majestic green distaff and set the leaves quivering on 

 their flattened stalks, down below, in a zone of calmer air, 

 the tender shoots of the year remain quiescent. Here, 

 especially, far from the wind-tossed heights opposed to 

 184 



