148 



The Sweet Potato 



white; head pale brown; 

 mouth-parts a brownish 

 shade; a few delicate- hairs 

 can be seen under the micro- 

 scope. The larva is legless, 

 although very thick leg pads 

 are apparent (see Fig. 17). 

 The length when grown is 

 about % of an inch. Tho 

 pupa is at first the same color 

 as the larva, but before trans- 

 formation to the adult be- 

 comes considerably darker. 

 The wing pads are short and 

 narrow, folded over the un- 

 der side of the body; the 

 head and back fold down 

 upon the breast; on the head 

 are several small tubercles, 

 ei^ch one bearing a slender spine; it is about % of an 

 inch long. The pupa is not active, not partaking of 

 food. The lower half of the body is mobile, enabling 

 the pupa to turn about in its burrow or pupa case. 



b 



Figure 17. — The sweet 

 potato weevil: a, larva; 6, 

 dorsal and ventral views of 

 pupa. Enlarged. 



Life history. 



While it is thought that the sweet potato weevil passes 

 through a part of the winter in hibernation, it is active 

 throughout the entire year in the Gulf states. Eggs, 

 larva>, pup® and adults may be found throughout the 

 winter over its entire range. 



