has not yet acquired a taste for th . more luscious European 
varieties. At least, it seldoms attacks anything but native 
varieties of the plum. 
Fig. 10. — Plum Gouger: a. plum pit showing hole for exit of Gougei; b, 
Gouger. (Riley & Howard. Insect Life, ’\V)1. II. U. S. Dep. of Agr.. Div. of Ento- 
mology. J 
The beetle is about one-fourth inch in length, has a 
rather long, curved snout, or rostrum; the wing covers are 
of a leaden gray color, finely spotted with black and brown, 
while the thorax and head are ocherous yellow. The beetles- 
begin appearing before the blossoms open. At first they 
puncture the calyx and feed on the ovary of the flow^er, com- 
pletely destroying it for the production of fruit. Later their 
punctures may be seen on the growing plums, some being 
made for food and others for the purpose of depositing 
eggs. In the laboratory six of the beetles, in 24 hours, 
punctured the calyces and ate the ovaries of 65 buds and 
blossoms. The punctures made for egg-laying are shallow 
and tlie egg, after being deposited, is Hush with the surface 
rig. 17. — I’lum (b)Uger and Its punctures on a plum. (After Lruner.) 
of the plum. Lor a short time it is yellowish white in color, 
but, where it is exposed to the light, it soon becomes shining 
jet black, d'he larvx on hatching eat their way directly to 
