STRAWBERRY CROWN GIRDLER. Otiorhynchus 



ovatus, Linn. 



Edith M. Patch. 



More than a little annoyance has been caused in the State by 

 the strawberry crown girdler, a small, black, snout beetle, noticed 

 in some localities especiall}' for its habit of crowding into the 

 house. , 



It was the protests of tried housekeepers that drew attention to 

 the beetle last season. " We have been overrun with these 

 hateful pests." "I killed more than 400 one evening in the front 

 room." " They travel all over the house and crawl from base- 

 board to ceiling only to drop to the carpet and try it over and 

 over again. They hide under any protection, carpet, clothing, 

 bedding, and are a general nuisance." Such reports came from 

 Maysville Center, Houlton, Monson, North Wayne and Caribou 

 durmg September, June and August. They seemed worthy of 

 some attention and this season observations of the strawberry 

 crown girdler were made with reference to the habit of crowd- 

 ing into houses, habits of larva and adult, and remedial or 

 protective measures. 



The beetles in the house with reference to their out-of- door 

 habits. The troublesome habit this beetle has of crowd- 

 ing into the house and getting into the way makes it an objection- 

 able insect, although it does no real harm indoors. It feeds 

 upon plants and is therefore, unlike the larder and carpet beetles, 

 interested neither in the food supply of the household nor in 

 clothing and carpets. For the past two years the beetles have 

 occurred in great numbers about the first of June, lasting 

 through that month, and have appeared again in August and 

 September. The house which seems to be troubled most at 

 North Wayne was built in 1822, and as might be expected had 

 crevices near the foundation which offer attractions for insects 

 in search of a hiding place. The beetles were most numerous 



