240 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. II, No. 3 
As a majority of the boll weevils were still alive at the time it was 
necessary to stop feeding them, no definite longevity can be given, but 
the following facts will show something of what might be expected. 
Of the n weevils tested, i was accidentally killed when 32 days old, 3 
died with an average longevity of 30 days, and 7 were still alive at the 
time of closing the series—35 days after their emergence. From this it 
is readily seen that the longevity would have been very great had it been 
possible to continue the series to the normal death of the boll weevils. 
All of the 19 eggs deposited were placed in buds, except 1, which was 
deposited on the inside of the base of a petal during a day when no buds 
were fed—September 21. This egg was left on the petal, covered with 
moist cloth, and placed on moist sand. It hatched on September 25— 
four days later. The larva appeared completely normal. A fresh Hibis¬ 
cus bud was opened to the center with a knife, and the small larva was 
dropped into a cavity formed there. Then the bud was closed and placed 
on moist sand. This larva was watched by opening the bud every few 
days. Unfortunately, it became infested with mites (probably Pedicu - 
lotdes sp.) when nearly fully grown—October 3. On October 5 it pupated, 
but died soon after completing the change. The death was probably due 
to the attack of the mites, as larvae in immature stages being reared on 
cotton squares on the same shelf were killed by them. 
The remaining 18 eggs were distributed in 11 buds. Two of these 
produced adult boll weevils, 4 bloomed and thus prevented breeding, 4 
showed no signs of larval work, and 1 gave indications of the larva being 
alive until it had consumed most of the tissue of the bud. 
The two adults that emerged were males. In one case the egg was 
deposited on September 24, the adult emerging on October 12. In the 
other the egg was deposited on September 27, the adult emerging on 
October 14—developmental periods of 18 and 17 days, respectively. 
A summary of the spring, summer, and fall series of observations is of 
interest, in that it shows the conduct of the boll weevils throughout the 
season when offered their choice of all edible parts of the plant. Table I 
gives the results of the observations on the preference of the boll weevil 
for certain parts of Hibiscus. It is readily seen that the bloom (stamens 
and corolla) is very much preferred to all other parts, forming 83 per cent 
of the total number of times of feeding. That the feeding is quite con¬ 
stant is shown by the fact that in 168 examinations only 11 records of no 
feeding were made—only 6.5 per cent. 
Table I .—Summary of feeding experiments of the Texas boll weevil, showing its prefer - 
encefor certain parts of Hibiscus syriacus 
Series. 
Part of plant. 
Stamens. 
j Corolla. 
! Bud. 
j 
Fruit. 
Pistil. 
Spring.times fed.. 
37 
39 
27 
10 
0 
Summer.do.... 
24 
13 
I 
0 
0 
Fall.do.... 
52 
5° 
5 
0 
I 
Total. 
“3 
102 
33 
10 
I 
The longevity will be discussed in the general summary. Eggs were 
deposited in only two series, 34 being found. 
