XXXJi, '21] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 5 



advantage in ridding infested land of the pest, by destroying 

 all weeds and trash, and at the same time harmonize with 

 good farm practice. The beetles are also found quite abund- 

 antly in the immediate vicinity of railroad tracks, under rub- 

 bish that has been scattered about, par icularK under bits of 

 cardboard, sheet metal, and paper. The latter appears to be 

 such a favorite shelter for adul: s that paper might serve as 

 a good cover for poisoned baits when such are used as a con- 

 trol measure. Occasionally beetles are noticed on vacant lots 

 along edges of streets and sidewalks in residential sections of 

 towns within in tested districts, and there are a few records 

 where under favorable conditions they have developed into 

 garden pests. It does not, therefore, appear that these insects 

 avoid ground already occupied by the ordinary activities of 

 man. 



While heavy pasturage appears to keep down these insects, 

 the presence of cattle in moderate numbers, where cattle- 

 raising is practiced on native ranges, is probably conducive to 

 the multiplication of fclcodcs, such conditions and such effect 

 being" largely similar to that preceding the arrival of the pio- 

 neer, when buffalo pastured upon these areas. In instances 

 where the herds of cattle are not too large there appears to be 

 slight likelihood of the insects being trampled out, particu- 

 larly in the loose or sandy soils. Wherever grass is at all 

 scanty, the number of cattle becomes more limited, which con- 

 dition decreases chances for injury and destruction of the 

 insects. The dried dung forms excellent shelter, under such 

 conditions, for adults, and possibly for the larvae. A marked 

 preference is shown by the adults for such cover, especially if 

 the cakes are thin, and sufficiently well dried to posse--, non- 

 conducting properties. Serious damage by this pest often fol- 

 lows planting of a cereal crop on old pasture land or on adja- 

 cent land, as such a tract might serve as a center of infesta- 

 tion for all nearby cultivated fields. 



Areas upon which systematic crop rotation has not been 

 practiced and upon which wheat has been planted year alter 

 year without fallowing are generally much more heavily in- 

 fested. 



