68 



THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



several trees, amongst which may be mentioned particularly the cherry- 

 tree, as well as the oak, beech, maple and poplar. It is entirely nocturnal 

 in its habits, and during the day time is sluggish and seeks shelter under 

 boards and logs. 



The perfect insect is of a chestnut brown color on the back, with a 



smooth and shining coat. 



Underneath it is of a lighter shade of brown. 



, Jk^^mw iz 



After the pairing of the sexes the male soon dies, and the female burrows 

 into the earth about nine or twelve inches, where she deposits 60 or 70 

 eggs, after which she comes out and lives but a very short time. These 

 eggs are soon hatched into small white grubs, which commence almost 

 immediately to feed upon the rootlets of plants. As they grow the larvae 

 become great enemies of the agriculturist. When they are hatched they 

 are just in time for the tender vegetation of early summer. 



In appearance the larva is of a white color, with a light brown head, 

 and when full grown is about the size of one's little fmger. They are 

 constantly turning up Vhen digging and gardening are going on, and crows 

 and other birds will often follow the plow to pick up the white grub, to 

 which they are very partial. 



At the end of the tliird summer the grubs stop feeding and bury 

 themselves deep in the ground, where, in an oval cavity, the change to the 

 chrysalis state is accomplished. 



In this condition it remains for a variable period, and then appears 

 the perfect insect, which works its way up by degrees to the surface of the 

 ground. 



