Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-19

Orono, Me-, Jan. 15-(SpeciaD-Th
following article was made public to-
day by Charles D. Woods, director of
the Maine Agricultural Experiment
Station at Orono:
During the past few years the
Maine Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton has undertaken study of the
BURBERRY insects of the State. In this
connection some interesting facts have
been observed in connection with a
little beetle not previously reported as
infesting this fruit but known in the
West as the currant fruit weevil.
The work with this insect was done
by Mr. William C. Woods of Cornell
University employed by e-his Station
as member of the Summer Staff of
Special Entomologists. The results
are in press and the following consist
Of extracts from the bulletin con-
cerned.
The currant fruit -weevil is evil
IDENTIFY quite widely distributed in
Maine as a UIucDSIly pcSl LII ~ "
ours both in Orono and Cherryfield,
the only places in which extensive col
lectfons of berries have been made for
the study of their insect enemies. Mr..
R. A. Cooley of the Montana Expert
ment Station has bred this species
from the currant and reports it as 2
serious currant pest in that state. DIR.
H. H. P. SEVERN who has been en-
gagged in a special investigation for
this Station on the currant fruit fly
during the past two seasons, states
that he has seen no indication of the
work of this species on the currant in
Maine. So far as our data at present
go, this species is found to be confined
to the low blueberries.
Hibernation takes place in the adult
stage. Egg deposition begins about
the middle of June, while the berries
are still small and green. Usually the
female chooses one Of the calyx lobes
in which to lay her egg. The sepals
are hollow with just enough space be-
tween the two walls to receive the egg.
and in the majority Of cases it is sim
ply deposited within one of the sepals.
In other cases the puncture is longer
and the egg lies in the berry itself
near the surface, at the end Of short
curved passage leading from one OF
the calyx lobes. The opening left at
ter the puncture has been made is
rather irregularly circular; the edges
soon become dry and turn brownish.
Frequently punctures Of similar ma
ture are to be found continuing
straight through both walls Of the
sepal. To make exactly the right
puncture must be rather a delicate
operation and presumably these repre-
sent unsuccessful attempts for eggs
were not found in connection with
them. Occasionally an egg is de-
posted Just beneath the skin at the
stem end of the fruit, the puncture ap-
pearing as described. In a short time
the surrounding skin becomes purplish
and later hard and brownish.
The earliest date on which an egg
was found is June Is. and they are to
be found quite generally by June IS.
The duration of the egg stage was not
exactly determined for the overwinter-
ing adults are scarce and none were
caught In the IlolQ WILL d1teI tHc cSS
laying period was passed. The egg
stage probably does not last longer
than 4 or days.
The newly Matched grub appears
slightly larger than the egg and is
pure white except for the proportion
ately large head which is very light
yellowish brown. Recently Matched
larvae were common on June %, 1915.
and as one was found on June 16, eggs
are evidently deposited at least as
early as June IL.
AS soon as the larva matches it tun-
nels to the center of the berry, typi-
cally leaving behind it hardened
reddish trail which is conspicuous in
the green pulp. This seems to be the
case no matter where the egg has
ben deposited. But from this point on
the fruit is eaten irregularly. All
through its larval life the weevil lives
in little cavity which is just the size
of its strongly arched body. The grub