LABGE-CAGE EXPERIMENTS \l DALLAS. M.\.. L905 6 



51 



toward the close of the experiments in May, when seed was planted 

 and cotton began growing before the last weevils emerged. Some 

 very interesting results were obtained from this method of observe 

 t ion. A majority of i In* weevils were Been a second time, and some 

 disappeared and reappeared as man} as eight times. The longest 

 period between the first and second appearances of anj individual 

 was forty-three days. 



Table XXVII. Intermittent activity of unfed weevils after emergence f at Dallas, /<'., 



19 



Number of wee> Us seen 



16 



26 



I a 



\\<t\ Us "rehibemated " 



I >nce. 



Twice. ii.!- 



7.2 



STS 





As has been previously shown, entrance into hibernation is a 

 gradual process and weevils which have first become quiet may sub- 

 sequently become active and seek other shelter before finally hiber- 

 nating. In a very similar way emergence from hibernation is 

 gradual but extended throughout a longer period of time than is 

 entrance into hibernation. The observations recorded in Table 

 XXVJI also show conclusively that weevils may leave their winter 

 quarters during warm days and, failing to find food, they may again 

 become quiet and emerge again after a considerable interval. This 

 fact has an important bearing upon the proposition which is fre- 

 quently advanced by planters of starving the weevils in the spring 

 by deferring the time of planting. While many weevils might perish 

 in tins way, it is certain that many more would be able to survive 

 and reappear at intervals, so that there would be plenty of weevils 

 to infest the crop, even though this might be planted as late as is 

 possible to Becure any yield. 



Other observations were made upon the intermittent activity of 

 unfed weevils during the spring of 1906. Weevils from Calvert, 

 Victoria, and Brenham, Tex., were tested. The weevils from Cal- 

 vert and Victoria, Tex., bad been confined in hibernation cages 

 throughout the winter. Those from Brenham were collected in the 

 held early in March. None of these weevils had lasted food after 

 emergence. In these tables the date of death, unless otherwise indi- 

 cited, is considered ;i^ having been the middle date between the last 

 examination at which a weevil was found alive and that ;ii which it 

 w as found dead. 



