lU STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



autumn, being theu nearly three-quarters of au inch long, and about an eighth 

 of an inch in diameter. They are of a yellowisli ^vhite color, with a tinge of 

 blue towards the hinder extremity, which is thick and obtuse, or rounded ; a 

 few short hairs are scattered on the surface of the body: they have six short 

 legs, and the head is covered with a horny shell of a pale rnst color. 



In October they descend below the reach of frosts, and pnss the winter in a 

 torpid state. In the spring they apjn'oach towards Ihe surface, and each one 

 forms for itself a little cell of au oval shape by turning around a great many 

 times, so as to compress the earth, and render the inside of the cavity hard and 

 smooth. "Witliin this cell the grub is transfo)med to a pupa during the mouth 

 of May, by casting off its skin, which is inished downwards in folds from the 

 head to the tail. The ]mpa has somewhat the form of the perfected beetle ; 

 but it is of a yellowish-white color, and its short stump-like wings, its antennas 

 and its legs are folded ou its breast ; and its whole body is enclosed in a thin 

 film, that wraps each part separately. During the month of June this tilmy 

 skin is rent, the included beetle witlidraws from the encasement its body and its 

 limbs, bursts open its earthen cell, and digs its way to the surface of the 

 ground. 



Thus the various changes, from the egg to the full development of the per- 

 fect beetle, are complete within the space of one year. 



Such being the metamorphoses and habits of these insects, it is evident that 

 ■we cannot attack them in the egg, the grub, or the pupa state ; the enemy in 

 these stages is beyond our reach, and is subject to the control only of the 

 natural but unknown means appointed by the Autiior of Nature to keep the 

 insect tribe in cheek. AVheu they have issued from their subterranean retreats, 

 and have congregated upon our vines, trees, and other vegetable productions, 

 in the complete enjoyment of propensities, we must unite our efforts to seize 

 and crush the invaders. They must indeed bo crushed, scalded, or burned, to 

 deprive them of life, for they are not aft'ected by any of the applications usu- 

 ally found destructive to other insects. Experience has proved the utility of 

 gathering them by hand, or of shaking or brushing them from the plants into 

 tin vessels containing a little water. 



They should be collected daily during the period of their visitation, and com- 

 mitted to the flames or to scalding: water. 



Mr. John Lowell, of Massachusetts, states that in 1S23 he discovered ou a 

 solitary api)le tree tlie rose bugs in such vast numbers as could not be described, 

 and would not be believed if they \yere described, or at least none but an ocular 

 ■witness could conceive of their numbers. He put sheets under the trees, shook 

 them down and burned them. 



They have appeared at different times in several localities in this State, at- 

 tacking the grape vines, apples, and peaches. 



About four years ago they were discovered on the lake shore near this place, 

 and have been spreading to the eastward, and increasing in numbers, until now 

 they are a scourge, injuring vines, plum, and cherry trees; they are also very 

 destructive to the young peaches, frequently lifteeu or twenty burrowing in and 

 consuming the entire fruit. We have tried some of the insect remedies, but find 

 none that will destroy or disperse them. 



Mr. James Satterleo of Greenville, gave an essav on 



