THE PEA BEETLE. 31 



THE PEA BEETLE. 



Bnichus pi si, Linn. 



Two or three correspondents have complained of the damage done 

 to peas by the larva of this beetle. 



LIFE- HISTORY. 



The female beetle deposits her eggs on the young pods, and, upon 

 hatching out, the larva bores into a pea, and passes its larval stage, 

 eating a large cavity in the pea. In this it pupates, the beetle 

 emerging in the following spring. Sometimes the beetles make their 

 way out of the peas in the autumn, and pass the winter elsewhere. 



In other cases they remain within the peas, only issuing after the 

 latter have been sown. 



A closely allied species B.rufimamts, attacks beans in a similar 

 manner. 



PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Peas which are or have been infected should not be used as seed, 

 even when they are kept in closed vessels and the beetles have left them 

 and died, they seldom produce strong plants. 



Fumigation with bisulphide of carbon is perhaps the best method 

 of killing the beetles. 



Care should be exercised in purchasing seed, to see that it is free 

 from this pest. 



THE APPLE BLOSSOM WEEVIL. 



Antliononius pouioriiiu, Linn. 



Various correspondents have sent in examples of this beetle, or 

 have written complaining of the damage it has done. 



A full account of the life-history was given in my Second Annual 

 Report, p. 21. 



An experience of this beetle, now extending over many years, 

 inclines me to the opinion that it is always most plentiful in neglected 

 orchards. Where the trees are not sprayed in the Winter, and the 

 moss and lichens are allowed to grow, there the beetles find a secure 

 place for hibernating in. In a like manner in orchards where dead 

 leaves, long grass, etc., are present, they provide favourable conditions. 



Winter spraying, quite apart from the numerous eggs that are 

 destroyed, will pay the fruit-grower, if only by reason of keeping the 

 bark clean and free from all mosses and lichens, beneath which this 

 and many other pests of fruit trees hibernate during the Winter 

 months. 



THE CABBAGE GALL WEEVIL. 

 Ceuthorhynchus siilcicollis, Gyll. 



Throughout the Midland counties there has been a distinct increase 

 of this very troublesome insect, and cabbages and turnips have 

 consequently suffered. 



