83 



resting at that time with the temperature at about 70° F. On cloudy 

 days the activity is less than it is on clear days. 



During the warmest portion of the season in 1904 a series of obser- 

 vations was made upon the night movement of weevils. Two obser- 

 vations were made daily — one at about 8 p. m. , to note the location of 

 the weevils, and the other between 6.30 and 7 a. m. to see if the weevils 

 moved. The average temperature for the period was high, ranging 

 from 80° F. at 8 p. m. to 73° F. for minimum temperature, and rising 

 to 73° F. at 6.45 a. m. The total number of observations showed 25 

 movements during a total of 134 nights. This means that only 18. 6 per 

 cent of weevils moved after 8 p. m., even during very warm weather. 



PLACE OF EGG DEPOSITION. 



The location of egg punctures, while variable, still shows some selec- 

 tion on the part of the weevil. This may be due partly to the form 

 of the squares and partly also to the size of the weevil, but whatever 

 the explanation the fact remains that in a majority of cases the egg 

 puncture is made on a line about halfway between the base and tip of 

 the square. When so placed the egg comes to rest either just inside 

 the base of a petal or among the lowest anthers in the square, accord- 

 ing to the varying thickness of the floral coverings at that point (PI. 

 XIV, fig. 62). Punctures are very rarely made below this line, though 

 the}^ are sometimes made nearer the tip. Almost invariably the egg 

 puncture is started through the calyx in preference to the more tender 

 portion of the square, where the corolla only would need to be punc- 

 tured. The reason for the choice of this location may be found under 

 the subject of the "Relation of warts to oviposition," on page 88. 



With bolls no selection of any particular location has been found, 

 but eggs seem to be placed in almost any portion. See Plate XIY, 

 figures 63 and 64. 



POSITION OF THE WEEVIL WHILE PUNCTURING FOR OVIPOSITION. 



While engaged in making egg punctures the favorite position of 

 the weevil is with its body parallel to the long axis of the square and 

 its head toward the base of the same. The tip of the weevil's body 

 is thus brought near the apex of the medium size square. Having 

 selected her location, the female takes a firm hold upon the sides of 

 the square and completes her puncture while in this position. It may 

 be that the position described is especially favorable for obtaining a 

 firm and even hold, and this may have something to do with the reg- 

 ularity with which it is assumed. If so, the apparent choice of this 

 location for the puncture is only partially explained, since it has been 

 often shown that weevils can puncture and oviposit successfully in 

 almost any portion of the square except its very tip. 



