U. S. D. A., B. E. Bui. 96, Part V. T. C. & S. P. I. I., August 6, 1912. 
PAPERS ON INSECTS AFFECTING STORED PRODUCTS. 
THE BROAD-BEAN WEEVIL. 
(Laria rufimana Boh.) 
By F. H. Chittenden, Sc. D., 
In Charge of Truck Crop and Stored Product Insect Investigations. 
[With Reports by Wm. B. Parker, Agent.} 
INTRODUCTORY. 
This species, which is commonly known as the bean beetle or bean- 
seed beetle in Europe, where it has been a pest for a great many 
years, has frequently been brought to the United States and Canada 
in its food supply. Until the year 1909, however, there was no posi- 
tive proof known to the writer of its ever having been introduced into 
North America. This is most remarkable considering the number of 
times that it has been imported living — almost yearly in all proba- 
bility — and that the species is so well established in Europe, where 
it is a common and destructive pest. It especially infests broad 
beans, and, it is said, peas and some other legumes. Broad beans, 
it might be explained, are also known under the names of horse, 
Windsor, tick, and " English Dwarf" beans. During 1909 and since, 
this species has become established in several localities in California, 
and bids fair to become a most formidable drawback to the cultiva- 
tion of broad beans in that State, if not in the entire country where 
this crop is raised. 
DESCRIPTION. 
THE ADULT. 
The species under consideration, Laria rufimana Boh., although very 
closely related to the pea weevil (Z. pisorum L.), is readily separable 
by the following characters, expressed in tabular form: 
Posterior femora acutely dentate ; thorax broad; pattern of elytra well denned; pygid- 
ium with a pair of distinct apical black spots pisorum L. 
Posterior femora obtusely or obsoletely dentate ; thorax narrow; pattern of elytra more 
or less suffused; pygidium with black apical spots lacking or illy defined, 
rufimana Boh. 
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