Balaninus

Without seeing it at work, we already suspect that the fantastic beak of the Balaninus is a drill analogous to those which we ourselves use in order to perforate hard materials.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

Certain nut weevils (_Balaninus spp. _) attack the native hazels, but

Northern Nut Growers Association Incorporated 39th Annual Report at Norris, Tenn. September 13-15 1948

Larger Chestnut weevil, _Balaninus proboscideus_ Fabr.

Northern Nut Growers Association, report of the proceedings at the eighth annual meeting Stamford, Connecticut, September 5 and 6, 1917

Several kinds of nuts are attacked and injured by long-beaked snout beetles or weevils belonging to the genus _Balaninus_, the chestnut probably being the most seriously damaged.

Northern Nut Growers Association, report of the proceedings at the eighth annual meeting Stamford, Connecticut, September 5 and 6, 1917

Might not the Balaninus follow an analogous method?

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The grasshopper has a sabre, an oviscapt which plunges into the earth and sows the eggs at the desired depth; the Leuscopis has a probe which finds its way through the masonry of the mason-bee and lays the egg in the cocoon of the great somnolent larva; but the Balaninus has none of these swords, daggers, or pikes; she has nothing but the tip of her abdomen.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

If I had tried to continue as I began, and to observe the Balaninus in the liberty of the woods, I should never, even with the greatest good fortune, have had the patience to follow to the end the choice of the acorn, the boring of the hole, and the laying of the eggs, so meticulously deliberate is the insect in all its affairs; as the reader will soon be able to judge.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The first species, which is the most abundant of the three, is that preferred by the Balaninus.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The Balaninus decamps; abandons her acorn without laying her eggs.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869

The Balaninus abandons its work and solemnly retires, disappearing among the withered leaves.

Social Life in the Insect World Jean-Henri Fabre 1869