THE COWPEA CURCULIO. 131 



Bureau, in 1908, and again in the Journal of Economic Entomology 

 the parasites so far reared from the species are listed. 



From this brief summary of the literature it appears that this 

 insect, which breeds almost altogether in cowpeas, has been con- 

 sidered very largely as a cotton insect. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



The distribution of this weevil probably coincides with that of the 

 cowpea, but since the injury to cotton is more noticeable it has 

 seldom been reported from beyond the cotton belt. It has frequently 

 been recorded from eastern Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, 

 Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, and less frequently 

 from Oklahoma, Maryland, and Missouri. In his notes on the 

 species Boheman mentions Mexico as its home, and Horn had speci- 

 mens from Georgia and Florida. It is, without much doubt, of 

 southern origin and has probably spread northward, following the 

 introduction and use of the cowpea. 



FOOD PLANTS. 



In its breeding this curculio seems to be confined almost entirely 

 to the cowpea and closely related legumes. According to Mr. W. D. 

 Pierce, one adult was reared from a cotton square at Mexia, Tex., 

 July 31, 1905, by Dr. W. E. Hinds. This is the only instance in 

 which any plant outside the legume family has served as a host, 

 and the occurrence can probably be considered as accidental. 



In June, 1908, adults were plentiful on wax beans at Monetta, S. C, 

 and although well-formed pods were present the beetles did not seem 

 to be breeding. Mr. Pierce reports the breeding of the beetles on 

 cowpeas, beans, and string beans, but no records have been pub- 

 lished regarding the two latter plants. 



In the spring cotton is often damaged seriously while it is small 

 by the adult beetles, but as this trouble occurs only on land on which 

 cowpeas were grown the preceding year it is apparent that cotton is 

 a food plant from necessity rather than from choice. Later in the 

 season beetles in confinement have starved to death rather than feed 

 on nearby young cotton. In an insectary experiment at Clemson 

 College, S. C, in the fall of 1908 a large number of the beetles were 

 confined in a cage in which were growing cowpea plants, bearing pods, 

 and cotton plants, both young and medium sized. The cowpea pods 

 were first attacked and within a couple of days were reduced to dry 

 remnants because of the great number of punctures. Then the stem 

 and petioles of the plant were punctured but not seriously. The 

 young and old cotton plants showed no sign whatever of having 

 been touched and, although no other food was given, the beetles 

 went into hibernation, leaving the cotton untouched. 



