132 THE PLUM CURCULIO. 
become very much scattered, and there are no data to show just 
where they hibernate, though it has long been known that beetles 
are first in evidence in those portions of orchards adjacent to woods. 
(See tables of jarring records, pp. 120-125.) Unquestionably the 
bulk of them hibernate in trash in woods adjacent to orchards, and 
also in grass along terraces in orchards, and probably to a less extent 
in orchards. 
Some data were obtained also by Mr. Johnson at Youngstown, 
N. Y., in the fall of 1905, upon the actions of the beetles in seeking pro- 
tection. On September 28, 6 curculios were placed on bare loose soil 
and covered with large glass jars. After several days of cold weather, 
including a couple of hard freezes, the beetles were found on October 
20 on the surface of the soil and in a perfectly quiescent condition. 
Later, November 13, there had been no change in the condition of 
the beetles. Specimens collected early in September, feeding upon 
apples and confined in jars, in which was a supply of turf, made no 
attempt to burrow into the sod. As the weather became colder they 
mostly fell from the apples, inclosed for food, lying promiscuously 
among the blades of grass at the base of the fruit. Beetles were still 
hiding in cavities previously eaten in the apples. On November 22, 
however, alter some activity, due to a few days of warm weather, 
several beetles had crawled nearly out of sight in the sod and several 
more had worked down into cracks between the pieces of sod, indi- 
cating a distinct tendency to seek shelter. 
MORTALITY OF THE CURCULIO DURING HIBERNATION. 
The proportion of beetles which survive the winter doubtless 
varies considerably from year to year, depending upon the character 
of the weather and other conditions. Observations on this point, 
however, indicate a heavy mortality. September 4, 1905, 400 
beetles jarred from peach trees at Fort Valley, Ga., were placed in 
breeding cages in the insectary yard at Washington and supplied 
with fruit for feeding purposes and abundant dried leaves and trash 
under which to protect themselves during the winter. Examinations 
made October 12 and 28 indicate that they were doing well and had 
fed more or less upon the fruit present. At these dates most of the 
beetles were hiding under the trash at the bottom of the cage. A 
preliminary examination, March 2, 1906, showed that many of the 
beetles had become active, some of them crawling rapidly here and 
there in the cage. On April 6 a final examination was made, especial 
care being taken to miss none of the insects. The leaves and sand 
were carefully worked over, and 60 live beetles were found and 138 
dead ones. Thus a total of 198 individuals were accounted for out 
of 400 originally placed in the cage. Doubtless the missing ones had 
