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Tychius Quinque-Maculatus

Larvae of a Weevil known by this name feed in the seeds of Peas and other Leguminosae. During summer, when full-fed, they fall to the soil, and become pupae in it. The Beetles emerge from the ground in autumn, live in concealment during winter, and, in summer, the females lay eggs in the flowers, or, rather, in the ovaries of the flowers, of the food-plants. The Beetles are about 1/5in. long, and are elongate-ovate in form. The beak is long, and curves downwards. The colour is black, with ruddy or yellow scales above, a white line down the middle of the thorax, and a white spot, and white inner border, on each wing-case; the body is pure white below. The thighs are toothed, and black; the rest of the legs, and the antennae, are dull-red. The Beetles are not very common in England, which is fortunate, as it is difficult to apply a remedy-at least, while the larvae are in the pods. A dressing of soot along the rows of Peas, towards the end of summer and autumn, would probably be of service against the pupae in the soil.