31 



sylvania Hamilton found it comparatively scarce. Possibly the variation in numbers 

 may be seasonal. 



Balaninus victofiensis Chttn. n. sp.«is also an acorn weevil, having been collected in 

 great numbers on oak by various collectors. 



Balaninus obtusus Blanch, has been reared from hazelnuts only (Hamilton, Can. 

 Ent., vol. XXII, p. 6). In 1891 hazelnuts were reported badly injured by this 

 species in Iowa (Alda M. Sharp, Bui. 17, Iowa Agl. Ex. Sta., p. 450). 



Balaninus confusor Ham. has been reared from the acorns of bear or scrub oak 

 (Quercus nana ilicifolia), but it probably lives on the fruit of other oaks. 



Fig. 10.— Pecan nuts showing exit hole of pecan weevil larva?, one-third enlarged (original). 



An interesting fact was brought out in the rearing' of the last- 

 mentioned species which has a bearing on the habits of the genus. A 

 single individual was reared from a large apple oak on a species of 

 golden rod (Solidago nemoralis), due to the larva of a two-winged fry, 

 Acinia solidaginis Fitch (see Can. Entom. Yol. XXV, p. 310), showing 

 the possibility of the different species developing on other than their 

 normal food plants. In this case, as Hamilton remarks, oviposition 

 on the gall was probably a mistake on the part of the parent beetle. 

 Three of the larvae were observed. It might be impossible for species 

 with short snouts like the hazelnut weevil to oviposit in chestnuts on 

 account of the thicker husk and longer spines, but, on the other hand, 

 it might be possible for some other species to depredate on hazelnut 

 in the event of absence of the normal nost plant. 



a Balaninus rictoriensis n. sp. (fig. 9). — With a view to lessening the confusion 

 which has existed with reference to the name of this species, which is generally 

 known in collections as uniformis Lee. or obtusus Blanch., the writer presents a brief 

 analysis which, together with the illustration, will more clearly define its identity: 



Body black or nearly so, covered with dense gray scale-like pubescence; elytra 

 variously mottled with brown, slightly elevated, pubescent spots. Kostrmn £ four- 

 fifths as long as body ( including head ) , moderately, nearly uniformly arcuate. Anten- 

 nal joints as figured, length a little shorter. Length, 7 mm . ; width, 3.5 mm . Habitat: 

 Victoria and elsewhere in Texas. Belated to uniformis Lee. from California, which 

 is described as ' ; ' densissime fulvo-pubescens, concolor" etc. The latter is smaller. 

 B. obtusus is much more robust and has a much shorter rostrum in £ . 



