54 



weevils with a sufficient food supply and defeat the very purpose of 

 delaying planting. 



(2) The period from the time the cotton breaks ground until the 

 formation of squares begins varies considerably, but in general may 

 be considered as averaging about six weeks. 



(3) A large number of observations have shown that many weevils 

 will, under ordinary conditions, emerge from hibernation after the 

 cotton has broken ground, but before the formation of squares begins. 

 These weevils experience little difficulty in living upon the cotton 

 foliage through a period of at most six weeks. The observations made 

 relate espeeialry to Victoria, but will natuTally appty to points farther 

 south. During mild winters the weevils become active through inter- 

 vals of warm weather, and may be found moving about on the cotton 

 plants as though seeking food, and these weevils would undoubtedly 

 feed at such times if food were available. Under these same condi- 

 tions, however, a large majority of the hibernating weevils will not 

 emerge until from five to eight weeks after the growing season of cot- 

 ton begins. During severe winters and in the northern portion of the 

 State, the immature stages appear to be killed in the squares and bolls 

 during the winter, so that only those which hibernate as adults sur- 

 vive. Those adults which are most exposed probably perish also, and 

 naturally those which are best protected against the cold will also be most 

 protected from the heat during the spring, and, therefore, emerge late. 

 Late planting, therefore, delays the crop and really gives the hibernated 

 weevils an advantage. 



To make the laboratory tests as severe as possible, weevils were 

 taken from hibernation very early in the spring, the dates ranging 

 between Januaiw 23 and April 5, 1901, averaging March 23. Alto- 

 gether 110 weevils were used. The food supply consisted entirely of 

 the terminal portions of cotton stems, which were replaced by fresh 

 tips at frequent intervals. Under these conditions one-half of the 

 weevils under observation died in a little over six weeks, the average 

 length of life being really forty-five days. A number of individuals 

 continued active^ for more than three months. These tests showed 

 that even under most unfavorable conditions fully one-third of the 

 hibernated weevils might be expected to live for a period of time 

 longer than that usually occurring between the planting of cotton and 

 the first formation of squares. 



CONCENTRATION OF WEEVILS UPON MOST ADVANCED PLANTS. 



The earliest plants in the field ultimately attract most of the weevils, 

 and where seppa plants occur they may serve as traps to draw the first 

 attacks. Thus, in the spring of 1895, Mr. E. A. Schwarz found the 

 .first emerged hibernated weevils working upon seppa plants which 

 had sprung from 2-year-old roots. These plants, having their root 



