2 BULLETIN 926, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ducted at Madison, Fla., during the years 1918 and 1919. The results 

 recorded herein in addition to representing the first serious study of 

 the boll weevil east of the Mississippi River also indicate the rapid- 

 ity with which the weevil is adapting itself to new environmental 

 conditions in its spread eastward. 



Owing to the very decided effect of climatic factors on the biology 

 of the boll weevil, it has been found necessary to study the develop- 

 ment of the weevil under both field and outdoor insectary conditions. 



In order to throw some light on the possibility of growing sea- 

 island cotton under weevil conditions, a comparative study of the 

 biology of the weevil on upland, long staple, and sea-island cottons 

 is included herewith. Since all methods of control are usually based 

 upon facts secured from biological studies, the results of the life- 

 history studies recorded herewith are of considerable importance to 

 the cotton growers east of the Mississippi River. 



HISTORICAL REVIEW. 



A review of the studies in the life history of the boll weevil is 

 presented herewith. 1 This review is of interest in that it shows the 

 times and conditions under which studies have been conducted. 



The earliest work was that at Victoria, Tex., in 1902 and 1903, the 

 results being published early in 1904. 2 This was followed by similar 

 investigations at the same place during 1904, and the results of these 

 studies were included in a bulletin issued in 1905. 3 



During 1910 similar investigations were conducted at Tallulah, 

 La., and the results were published in 1911. 4 



Then, in 1912, these studies and such others as had been made 

 elsewhere were brought together in a large bulletin. 5 



During 1913 another series of studies was conducted at Victoria, 

 Tex., to check those which had been made at the same place 10 years 

 earlier. It was found that the weevil had made a number of im- 

 portant changes in its life history, principal among these being a 

 much greater adaptability to plants other than cotton as food. The 

 biology of the Arizona Thurberia weevil was also studied, and this 

 variety was hybridized with the Texas cotton weevils. The results 

 of these studies are included in three papers. 6 



1 Quoted from Howe, R. W., Bui. 358, U. S. Dept. Agr., p. 2-3. 



e Hunter, W. D., and Hinds, W. E. The Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil. U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Bur. Ent. Bui. 45, 116 p., 16 pi., 6 figs., 1904. 



•Hunter, W. D., and Hinds, W. E. The Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil. U. S. Dept. of 

 Agr. Bur. Ent. Bui. 51, 181 p., 23 pi., 8 figs., 1005. 



* Cushman, R. A. Studies in the biology of the boll weevil in the Mississippi Delta re- 

 gion of Louisiana. In Jour. Econ. Ent., v. 4, no. 5, 1911. p. 432-448. 



e Hunter, W. D., and Pierce, W. D. Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil. U. S. Dept. of Agr. 

 Bur. Ent. Bui. 114, 188 p., 22 pi., 34 figs., 1912. 



8 Coad, B. R., and Pierce, W. D. Studies of the Arizona Thurberia weevil on cotton in 

 Texas. Proc. Wash. Ent. Soc, v. 16, no. 1 . p. 23-28. 1914. 



Coad, B. R. Feeding habits of the boll weevil on plants other than cotton. U. S. Dept. 

 Agr. Jour. Agr. Res., v. 2, no. 3, p. 235-245. 1914. 



Coad, B. R. Recent stu.lies of the Mexican Cotton Boll Weevil. U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 

 231, 34 p., 1 fig. 1915. 



