2 MISC. PUBLICATION 484, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



B 



Figure 1. — The adult boll weevil can either walk or fly, as it chooses. A weevil 

 with wings spread, as in flight, is shown at A. B shows a weevil with legs 

 spread out, as seen from above, and C a weevil feeding on a cotton boll, as seen 

 from the side. A and B are about 4 times natural size, and C is about 20 

 times natural size. 



through a magnifying glass, he will see that the weevil's mouth is at 

 the end of its snout and that it has a double pair of jaws for biting and 

 chewing. And this little weevil can either walk or fly, just as it 

 chooses. 



HOW THE BOLL WEEVIL GROWS 



The parts of the cotton plant that boll weevils like best as food are 

 the flower buds, or squares, as the planter calls them. But before the 

 squares come in the spring, the weevils will eat the tender leaves on 

 the growing tips of the plant. The female weevil also uses the squares 

 as a place to lay her eggs. She first eats a tiny hole in the bud and 



