CALANDRA SCULPTURATA, Gyll. 387- 
ee ee ee ee 
insect, and that a second generation of the weevil appears in the 
autumn. This may prove to be the case, since the acorns ripen 
between August and October but remain on the tree through the- 
ensuing winter. The pupal stage in the spring only lasts a few- 
days. 
The eggs are evidently laid on the acorns, the weevil not im-- 
probably drilling a hole into the fruit with its proboscis and 
placing them init, As many as six or seven beetles have been 
obtained from one nut. The larve feed inside reducing the- 
kernel to a powdery mass, no external opening being visible in 
he outer skin of the fruit. Mr. Coventry thus describes the 
pupation :—“ On removing this shell or skin the pupe are seen 
lying each in a separate compartment of its own. The kernel oft 
the acorn, though reduced to a fine powdery condition, is still 
firm and fills the shell so that when this latter is removed the- 
inside appears solid, with the pupe lying in little compartments 
on its surface (see fig. 5c) With slight pressure, however, it falls. 
to pieces, and it is seen that each compartment is really a small 
cradle-like cocoon covered above by the shell of the acorn.” 
When ready to emerge a hole is bored through the shell to the 
cutside—and this, presumably, by the first mature beetle since. 
all the others issue by the same exit-hole. The acorns,fall to the 
ground during the attack about the time the larvae become full- 
fed. The beetle is said to be very lively, but feigns death when 
disturbed. 
- Locality from where reported. 
Mr. Coventry found this weevil at, Mussoorie, in the North-- 
West Himalayas, in June 1902. 
Relations to the Forest. 
This beetle is a most serious pest to the acorns of the dan 
oak (Quercus tncana) in which it lays its eggs, the larvee burrow- 
ing and feeding in and destroying the fruits. Mr. Coventry states 
that the insect is largely responsible for the absence of natural 
reproduction of this tree from seed in the Mussoorie Hills, He 
writes as follows on this subject :—‘ On 1tth June 1902 
I collected a large number of acorns of Q. tncana at Mussoorie 
with the object of ascertaining what proportion of them was. 
