57 



The ravages of weevils cannot be stayed by the same measures which avail in the case 

 of the potato beetle and other leaf-feeding larvae. Their grubs cannot be reached by Paris 

 green and similar poisons ; their destruction can only be accomplished by that of the sub- 

 stance in which thoy feed concealed. Failing then to reach the grubs, it remains to attack 

 the beetles themselves, and this is often difficult of accomplishment, on account of their 

 secluded habits and the trouble of finding them. They are also exceedingly tough subjects 

 to kill ; their hard bodies are capable of resisting much hard usage, and, to a great ex- 

 tent, the action of such substances as are all-powerful in the destruction of insects endowed 

 with less vitality. 



I have frequently kept plum weevils for hours, sometimes for a couple of days, in a 

 cyanide bottle, which would kill most insects in a few minutes, and although stupefied, 

 they would, in a short time after liberation, be as lively as ever. They are indifferent to 

 the most powerful and offensive odours, and decoctions of tobacco, soap and lime, that 

 easily repel most insects, are apparently but little hurtful to them. 



To show the tenacity of life in snout beetles, an English entomologist mentions a 

 curculio (of genus Cleonus) which, after resisting the action of laurel leaves, which are 

 used in collecting-bottles as poison, was twice immersed in benzine, the second time for a 

 whole night, and finally had to be killed with hot water. Another instance is where some 

 weevils lived in and devoured coriander seed, among which were pieces of caustic stone. 



One simple way to prevent the ravages of weevils is to see that all seeds are thoroughly 

 freed from them before planting, and likewise in setting out plants or trees to observe the 

 same precautions. Yet, sooner or later, they will find their way from adjacent fields, or 

 even distant counties, and then resort must be had to warlike measures. Some species, 

 such as the plum weevil, may be jarred or shaken upon sheets, or frames covered with cot- 

 ton ; others may be taken (some by day, some by night) with sweeping or beating nets. 

 The best way to kill the captured ones is to put them in boiling water. 



Fruits or nuts, which have fallen to the ground, should be carefully collected and 

 destroyed before the larvae therein have left them and entered the earth, and all substances 

 under which the beetles might hide should be removed. 



Twigs and canes infested should be cut off and burned in the autumn, or in spring 

 before the beetles have emerged. 



Powdered pyrethrum will be found very effectual in destroying weevils among such 

 seeds as peas and beans, if dusted over them, and if well sprinkled among heaps of grain 

 is said to thoroughly kill off the grain weevils. 



But little assistance is received from birds toward exterminating weevils. Many 

 species are concealed all day in crevices, under stones, etc., or even beneath the surface of 

 the ground, and only come forth when the birds have ended their labours. Others so 

 closely simulate bits of moss or dirt, or the colour of the bark or other part of the plant 

 on which they rest, as to be safe even from the sharp eyes of our feathered friends. 

 Nearly all are so timid that when alarmed or disturbed they fold up their antennae and 

 legs and drop to the ground, where they are almost invisible. The stray weevils occasion- 

 ally captured by birds are not very satisfying morsels, being chiefly hard, horny shell, 

 while the grubs, which are soft and fat, are generally secure in their cells or burrows. 



ON THE CHIEF BENEFITS DERIVED BY FARMERS AND HORTICUL- 

 TURISTS FROM A K^^YLEDGE OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



By James Fletcher, Ottawa, Ont. 



"Well! what's the use of all your bug-catching and long names to me?" is a question 

 which in this essentially utilitarian age the entomologist has too often to answer farmers 

 and horticulturists even here in fair Canada, where the unparalleled climate presents most 



