INSECTS AFFECTING HOUSEHOLD GOODS 227 



beetles, of which the Granary-weevil * and the Rice-weevil f 



are the most common. They 



are small, brown, wingless 



beetles, from one-eighth to 



one-sixth of an inch in length, 



with long snouts which are of 



great service in boring into 



the kernels of grain. By 



means of them the females 



puncture the grain and then 



insert an egg in the cavity. 



The larva hatching from this 



is without legs, somewhat 



shorter than the adult, white 



in color, and of a very robust 



build, being almost as broad 



as long. It soon devours 



the soft interior of the kernel 



and then changes to a pupa, 



from which the adult beetle 



emerges in about six weeks 



from the time the egg was 



laid. 



Only a single larva in- 

 habits a kernel of wheat, but 

 several will often be found in 

 that of corn. Not only do 

 the larvae injure the grain, 

 but the beetles feed upon it, 

 and then hollow out a shelter 

 for themselves within the hull. 



FIG. 158. The grain-weevil (Co- 

 landra granaria). (After Chit- 

 tenden, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



a, beetle; b, larva; c, pupa; d, the rice 

 weevil (C. oryza) : beetle all enlarged. 



* Calandra granaria Linn. 



f Calandra oryzce Linn. Family Calandridce. 



