APPLE WEEVIL* 
8 
that it had prevailed to any extent before, but it was then very general 
in early blossom, and to be found in most trees to a greater or less 
degree. 
The method of life of these small weevils is for the female to make 
a small hole in an unopened flower-bud by means of little jaws placed 
at the extremity of the long proboscis or snout, with which these 
“ long-nosed weevils ” are furnished. The beetle only lays one egg in 
each bud, so that the process of egg-laying goes on slowly, and may 
last as long as three weeks ; and this point is of some importance 
practically. She cannot lay until the blossom-buds are formed , and as 
soon as the blossom-leaves begin to unfold egg-laying ceases. 
We cannot alter the weather, but, by keeping the trees in such 
order as to ensure the greatest amount of sunshine reaching the 
flowers, rather than allowing an undergrowth of boughs touching the 
neighbouring trees, and thus giving a long successive time of opening 
to the flowers even on one tree (precisely suiting the beetles’ needs for 
laying day after day), we cut short part of the beginning of the attack. 
The weevil-egg hatches in about a week. The maggot is whitish 
and legless, and with a black, homy head; it feeds within the 
blossom-bud, and its presence is shown by the blossom-leaves, instead 
of opening, turning brown and remaining folded together. The maggot 
turns to chrysalis in the injured bud, and in about three weeks from 
the time of hatching of the maggots, the weevils come from the 
chrysalids, and disperse themselves over the tree. They are said to 
injure the leafage, but the great mischief they cause is that to 
the buds. 
Prevention and Remedy. 
During the winter the weevils shelter in chinks or crannies, or 
other convenient shelter on the trees, or under clods and stones near 
it; so that keeping the bark in good order, removing rough broken 
pieces, smoothing away rough projecting edges where there are deep 
cracks, cleaning off lichen from the boughs, and other similar plans to 
get rid of lurking-places on the trees, are measures which are sure to 
be useful. When it is wished to preserve the fruit of any especially 
valuable tree from coming attack, it would be a good plan to syringe a 
strong mixture of soft-soap (with just enough paraffin to give it a 
scent) on to the trunk and branches. This would lodge in the 
crannies, and, if done during early spring, just before the Apple-tree 
shows growth, would probably be very serviceable. Where trees 
stand in bare ground, stirring the surface and throwing a little quick¬ 
lime or gas-lime would be of use ; in grass-orchards it is difficult to 
meet the point of harbourage in the ground, but sticky bands round 
the trees are of use in keeping the female weevils from creeping up. 
These can fly, but are considered not to do so customarily ; so that, if 
b 2 
