THE BITE OF OTIORHYNCHUS OVATUS

Extract

Otiorhynchus ovatus is an insect which, during the last decade, has become decidedly more numerous in Canada than was formerly the case. Little seems to be known about its habits. It has been sent to me occasionally with complaints of its attacks upon various crops. Among these may be mentioned injuries to the growing stems of potatoes, and also injuries to fruit in the fruiterer's shop. The beetles have been also sent in frequently as having been found in considerable numbers huddled together in dwelling houses late in autumn. Perhaps the most interesting complaint which has been made comes from Prof. W. L. Goodwin, of Queen's University, Kingston, who writes: “I send two specimens of a small beetle which caused so much annoyance in camps on Wolf Island, in the St. Lawrence, near Kingston, Ontario, in July last. It attacked us at night and bit with unpleasant severity.”