AGKIOI'I/ITKAI, KXI'KKIMKNT STATION. 



17.1 



The fact that successive generations occur in stored beans ; that 

 sound beans in the same lot may become infested and that possibly 

 new lots may also become infested, makes this weevil a more for- 

 midable pest than was formerly supposed. 



Beans are largely grown and consumed in Maine and should 

 this insect become common much damage might be done. Below 

 we give its history, characters and remedies. 



HISTORY. 



This species is probably not native but was introduced as early 

 as 1860, at least, possibly from Asia. It would seem that it has 

 -erroneously been considered the same as B. obsoletus, Say., bred from 

 Astragalus seeds from Indiana as early as 1831. This view is 

 strengthened by the fact that it was found in 1876 at Philadelphia 

 in beans from various countries from both continents. At present 

 it is cosmopolitan. It was first noticed in Rhode Island in I860 

 by Dr. Fitch, who described it as Bruchus Fabce. Within the next 

 ten years it was carried to nearly all parts of the United States. 

 In 1870 it was known from several of the New England States. 

 So far as we know it has not previously been reported from Maine. 

 Professor Fletcher has not found it in Canada. As the beetles are 

 sluggish and disinclined to fly it is mainly distributed in infested 

 beans. Those wishing a fuller consideration of this insect will find 

 an interesting summary of the facts known regarding it in Pro- 

 fessor Lintner's 7th Report of the Injurious and Other Insects of 

 the State of New York, p. 255. 



Characters — A small beetle that would be usually found infesting 

 beans or associated with them. See Fig. 12. There are two 



Fig- 12. Bean Weevil, mucb magnified. 

 closely related species of Bruchus that have been fouud infesting 

 beans in this country. The above species is by far the most 



