Annual Report for 189 A of the Zoologist. 
781 
The Grain Weevil. 
Calandra granaria. 
This insect continues to do great damage to stored grain, 
especially to foreign barley imported for malting purposes. 
Some of the beetles survive the winter and hibernate in chinks 
and crannies in the walls of the granary, and in the spring the 
female seeks the heaps of corn, in the grains of which she deposits 
her eggs, after piercing a hole with her rostrum. The grubs feed in 
the interior of the grain, where they also pupate, and the mature 
beetle emerges. 
Infested grain has no characteristic appearance, but is lighter 
than ordinary grain, and will float when thrown into water. 
Treatment. — When the storehouse is comparatively empty, the 
opportunity should be taken of washing the walls with whitewash 
to which some carbolic acid is added, and of filling up all crevices 
with cowhair and quicklime, or cement. 
The methods of destruction usually advocated depend on the 
sensitiveness of the weevil to extremes of temperature. It cannot 
stand severe cold, and is kept in check by the simple expedient of 
leaving the windows of the granary open on frosty nights. Frequent 
turning over of the heaps of grain, so as to admit air freely, is also 
said to be beneficial, though, on the other hand, some affirm that they 
can keep the pest more in check when the grain is stored in sacks. 
If infested grain is exposed, by means of hot air or some form of 
roasting mill, to a temperature of 1 30° Fahr. the weevils are said to be 
killed without injury to the germinating power or malting properties 
of the barley. 
From experiments recently made by Mr. H. E. Weed in 
Mississippi, U.S. A., it appears that bisulphide of carbon, long, ago 
recommended (1879) by Professor Riley, is a most satisfactory cure 
for this pest. Maltsters hesitate to use it in this country, on account 
of its inflammatory properties, but if due caution be observed there 
is no danger, and it is an excellent insecticide. 
It was at first placed in shallow trays on the surface of grain in 
a closed bin. The vapour is heavy, and soon permeates the corn 
beneath. 
It has been found, however, that actual contact with the grain 
has no ill effects, so that it can be applied by fixing a mass of tow 
or cotton waste to the end of a stick, saturating it with carbon 
bisulphide, and thrusting it into the middle of the barley ; or it may 
be simply poured on the top of the grain. 
No light must be brought near until the odour has entirely 
passed off. 
The granary may be thoroughly dosed with carbon bisulphide 
on Saturday afternoon, and work resumed as usual on Monday 
morning, a watchman being employed to prevent the possibility of 
any light being introduced. The treatment should commence at the 
bottom of the building, as otherwise the descending fumes are too 
powerful while the lower rooms are being treated. The fluid is 
VOL. V. T. S. — 20 3 K 
