1922.] 



A New Apple Pest. 



749 



This new weevil, which might perhaps be known as Bud 

 Weevil to distinguish it from the Blossom Weevil, has been 

 familiar on the Continent of Europe for very many years as a 

 pest of pears and to a less extent of apples. In France the insect 

 is called the Pear Anthonomus and also the Winter Worm. In 

 Germany it is known as the Pear Bud Killer or Pear Bud Stinger, 

 while there are also records of its doing considerable damage 

 both in Russia and Italy. In all cases it would seem to be pears 

 which are damaged rather than apples. In comparison with the 

 Apple Blossom Weevil, the pest usually appears to be regarded 

 as of less, and sometimes as of much less, importance. It is of 

 course quite impossible to predict the nature of the losses which 

 it may ultimately cause in Great Britain, while it is almost 

 equally difficult to judge whether the species is really new to 

 our orchards or whether it has persisted for years in small num- 

 bers undetected. It is undoubtedly the case that it might easily 

 be carried in the egg stage upon nursery stock from the Con- 

 tinent, and that nothing short of complete prohibition of the 

 entry of such stock could prevent its introduction. On the other 

 hand, if it were a recent arrival in England, it is decidedly 

 unlikely that it would appear simultaneously in two localities so 

 far apart as Kent and Norfolk, and on the whole it is more 

 proboble that the insect has been present with us for at all events 

 a number of years and that it may .even be native. 



In regard to the life history of the new weevil, it is recorded 

 in Germany that eggs are laid in September and October in the 

 leaf and fruit buds of pear trees, that the larvae are found in the 

 buds from the middle of February and that they pupate at the 

 beginning of May. the beetles emerging from 8 to 10 days after- 

 wards. It is further stated that the beetles appear to " sleep " 

 during the summer and not to reappear until the time for egg- 

 laying in the following autumn. Judging by the behaviour of 

 specimens which were kindly supplied by Mr. Goude (Horti- 

 cultural Instructor for Norfolk), these statements correspond 

 fairly well with the habits of the insect in Great Britain, and 

 there is every reason to suppose that it will have a similar life 

 history here. Mr. Petherbridge, however, is investigating the 

 matter and may shortly be able to confirm or correct these notes. 



In the meantime, it is suggested that pear and apple growers 

 should be on the look out at the end of winter and early spring 

 for buds which have been killed or have failed to expand, and 

 if on examination they are found to contain grubs, the Ministry 

 would be grateful for full particulars. 



