106 NATURAL HISTORY. 



The Nut Borer (balaninus nucum), from two to three 

 lines in length, is black, but covered thickly with brown 

 hair ; head, feelers, corselet, and feet are lighter. The 

 trunk, long and fine, serves to pierce an opening into the 

 unripe acorns and hazelnuts, where the eggs from which 

 the larvae develop are deposited. 



The Weevils (calandria granaria) are the tenth of an 

 inch in length ; dark red or brown, with striped wings, 

 and a very long, dotted, gray breast-plate. They deposit 

 their eggs in grain stored up in granaries, mostly in the 

 spring time. The larvae eat the whole inside, leaving 

 nothing but the husk. Their metamorphosis is accom- 

 plished in four or five weeks. The perfect insect is then 

 developed, and also feeds upon the grain. The increase 

 of these destructive insects is immense, as one weevil will 

 deposit one hundred and fifty eggs. They generally keep 

 a few inches below the surface of the heaped up grain ; 

 in the fall they creep further down within it, and in the 

 spring once more come forth. The best means of getting 

 rid of these destructive vermin is by winnowing the grain, 

 or suffering free admission of cold air to the granary. 

 The grain they have fed upon becomes very light, and 

 having lost its farinaceous portion, swims on the top of 

 water. 



The Diamond Beetle (entimus imperials), plate 22, 

 fig. 10, is nearly one inch in length ; has deep furrows 

 on the wing-covers ; black, with stripes and spots of bril- 

 liant green and gold: color, which sparkle in all glitter- 

 ing splendor. It is a native of Brazil, where the ladies 

 wear it in their hair. 



The Red Weevil (apion frumentarius), or Cornworm, 

 plate 22, fig. 11, is one line and a half in length ; of a 

 blood-red color, with black eyes ; ridged elytra, and thin 



