298 INSECTS 



Mr W. W. Smith reports it as very common in Taranaki (April, 

 1919). It is apparently widespread, among sorrel roots especially. 



Gonipterus rettculattis, Boisduval 



Mr Hudson informed me in 1890 that this Australian beetle had 

 been found by Mr W. W. Maskell amongst species of Eucalyptus, 

 Sydney Street, Wellington. It was very abundant there in February, 

 1892. It is very fond of sunshine. 



Mr Smith reports it as occurring on several species of plants in 

 Taranaki, and says that in captivity the perfect insect (imago) is a 

 voracious feeder. It is very common among eucalypts. 



Calandra granaria, Linn. Grain-weevil ; Corn-weevil 



I do not know how early this beetle was introduced, but it has 

 been known for a very long time, and is very troublesome in stored 

 grain, especially in wheat. In 1894 and 1895 the grain sheds in 

 Timaru were very badly infested, and it did a great deal of damage. 



Dr Hilgendorf informs me that about 1900 a rejected consignment 

 of wheat was emptied on Timaru beach, and the weevils were seen 

 crawling towards the town in thousands. They were destroyed by 

 fumigation with carbon disulphide. Again in 191 6 it was imported 

 in vast numbers in a consignment of barley from South Australia. 

 Dr Hilgendorf adds that as about 40 days elapse between the 

 laying of the egg, and the emergence of the mature beetle, the pest is 

 never very bad, except in grain at least one season old. 



Calandra oryzee, Linn. Rice-Weevil 



This cosmopolitan beetle was recorded in the Index (1903), it is 

 probably common in New Zealand. Mr W. W. Smith records it as 

 common at Ashburton and New Plymouth (April, 1919). 



Anthonomus pomorum, Linn. Apple-blossom Weevil 



This beetle has been a long time in the country, but is not very 

 common. In 1890 it did a great deal of harm in orchards in Canter- 

 bury. It is common at Ashburton and at New Plymouth. 



Sitones lineatus, Linn. Striped Pea- Weevil 



This little beetle, which attacks peas, beans and species of Tri- 

 folium, is a European species. The adults are found in numbers on 

 the flowers of gorse and broom in Britain. 



Mr W. W. Smith reports it as common at Ashburton and at New 

 Plymouth (April, 1919). 



Mr A. H. Cockayne says it is common in Wellington Province. 



