Turnip Galls
The work of a small Weevil, which also forms somewhat similar Galls on Cabbages. A brief description of the Beetle (Ceuthorhynchus sulcicollis) will be found under Cabbage Gall Weevil (where, however, the name is spelt Ceutorrhynchus). To the particulars there given, a few words may be added. The colour of the insect is black, slightly shining, sprinkled with a few grey hairs, or small scales; the head and thorax are much punctured, and the latter has a deep median furrow, and a small prominence on each side; the wing-cases bear small prominences in front of the tips, and each thigh of the hindmost legs is toothed on the inner side. The length of body is 1/12in. to 1/8in. The females lay their eggs near the top of the roots of most Crucifers. In Turnips they do so a little above, or close to, the soil. In a short time, a Gall begins to appear, and at last its form and size may resemble a large half-pea fixed to the root by the flat side; or two or more may unite in growth. The Galls are fleshy, like the roots; and in each is a cavity, tenanted by a curved, whitish, footless maggot, which, when full-fed, bores its way out, drops to earth, and pupates 1in. or 2in. underground. This may be done in autumn, but the more backward larvae winter in the Galls.
Remedies. The most certain is to cut off and destroy the Galls, with their occupants in them. Applications of soot or gas-lime, or other insecticides, to the soil whence infested plants have been lately removed, have proved valuable in lessening the prevalence of the Beetles. Other measures against injury will be found mentioned under Cabbage Gall Weevil.