175 



shape. It averages from .03 to .04 inch long and .02 inch wide. 

 The larvae often feed in the acorns until late in the winter 

 and convert the meat of the nut into dust so that it will not ger- 

 minate. 



THE SPOTTED ACORN WEEVIL, Balaninus pardalus Chittn. 



In this locality the beetles of this species show the same pre- 

 ference for acorns of the white oak that those of the last describ- 

 ed species show for the acorns of chestnut oak. Frequently I 

 have found this species swarming in white oak trees when not 

 one could be found in nearby oaks of other kinds. Chittenden 

 has reared it from acorns of swamp white oak and black oak. 



In a general way, this beetle more nearly resembles the con- 

 fused acorn weevil than any other species. The size and shape 

 are very similar and the length of the beak is practically the 

 same in both insects. The color of this species is a darker shade 

 of brown and the spots on the back are smaller and more clearly 

 marked. The large mandibles of the male are a distinguishing 

 mark. 



The beetles are common on white oak trees 

 from about the first of August until the acorns drop 

 in the autumn. 



The operation attending oviposition is very sim- 

 ilar to that of the species which attacks the acorns 

 of chestnut oak. The female makes a branched gal- 

 lery extending toward the center of the acorn and 

 then, through the same opening in the shell, directs a branch to 

 one side in which the egg is placed. So far as has been observ- 

 ed, none of the egg-punctures are made through the cup. The 

 eggs are not distinguishable from those of several other species. 



THE NUT CURCULIOS. 



The group of snout beetles commonly known as curculios is 

 made notorious by the habit which some of the species have of 

 attacking orchard fruits. Several species of the group attack 



