140 



COLBOPTEEA OK BEETLES. 



on the roots of peas can easily be killed in gardens by water- 

 ing with soluble phrenyl, referred to later in the summary on 

 insecticides. 



more than one-eighth of an inch in length. 



Bean-seed Weevils (BEUCHiDiE). 



The Bruchidse belong to the second group of weevils, which 

 have a short rostrum and straight antennae. They are mostly 

 brownish-red beetles with broad bodies and small in size, seldom 



Bruclvas rufimanus 

 is one of the commonest. The 

 female deposits her eggs in the 

 developing bean, a single egg 

 only in each seed as a rule, 

 although I have seen mOre on 

 rare occasions. The larva lives 

 inside the bean and there pu- 

 pates, remaining inside the seed 

 throughout the winter. Infested 

 seed can always be told by a 

 small round depression on one 

 side. On breaking through the 

 thin skin that covers it, the 

 larva or pupa will be found in 

 a' cavity inside the seed. The 

 beetle hatches some days before it makes its exit, which it does 

 through the round depression just referred to. A distinct hole 

 is then seen in the seed, from which the beetle has escaped. 

 Such infested seed germinates, but does not produce a healthy 

 plant. Often the seed is sown before the Bruchi have hatched, 

 and thus they will be in a good position to continue their attack 

 upon the crop again. Infested seed should never be purchased ; 

 but if it is, it should be subjected to either of the following 

 methods of treatment — namely, fumigation by bisulphide of 

 carbon or soaking in carbolic water. The infested seeds may 



Fig. 60. — Bean Beetle {Bniclvus 

 ruprnxmus). 



1, Infested tean ; 2 and 3, beetle, nat. 

 size, and magnified. (Whitehead.) 



