30 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



anteninv. Such antenna^ have the few terminal joints expanded into 

 leaves which may be closed to form a head. 



These beetles are of two types. The beetles of the first are usually 

 broad, often as broad as long, and they feed, as larvas, on (n-dure of 

 privy or stable. The tumlile bugs are examples. These do no harm. 

 The others are usually more elongated, a few much longer than broad. 

 These are plant eaters, feeding on the roots of plants, as larva?, and on 

 foliage of plants, shrubs and trees, as imagoes. Some of these are 

 enormously destructive, as the rose chaffer. Macrodactylus suhspinosus, 

 of the East. The various May beetles of California and the East are 

 also serious pests. These devastate the lawns and meadows and work 

 havoc in strawberry beds and with other vegetables. The common one 

 in California is Ligyrus gihhosiis. a plain dark brown beetle, which 

 ruins lawns and strawberry plants. I had fretiuent calls for aid against 

 these pests, both at Pomona College and since coming here. In ]Mich- 

 igan the common May beetle. Lnchnosterna fusca, was an egregious 

 destroyer, both in meadows and lawns, and the chief insect enemy of 

 the strawberry. 



These beetles lay the eggs in ]\Iay and June, the grubs feed on roots 

 of grass for two or three years, pupate in an earthen cocoon, and come 

 forth as imagos in May. As adults they are often so numerous, feeding 

 on foliage of trees, as to remind one of a swarm of bees. The rose 

 chaffer of the East is often fatal to various rosaceous trees and shrubs. 



Control Measures. 



Selecting grasses or plants distasteful to the beetles is always wise. 

 In case a meadow is seriously attacked, it best be plowed and super- 

 seded by some other crop. If a lawn is badly attacked, the same method 

 may be followed. A clover lawn is not attacked. Often the roots are 

 so destroyed that all the grass can be swept oft', leaving the earth 

 entirely bare. 



Carbon Bisulphide. 



This ill-smelling inflammal)le. very volatile liquid is one of our most 

 effective insecticides. It has a very wide use. It is too expensive for 

 field use against these white grubs, but may often be very satisfactory 

 on lawns. To apply this make holes in the earth about three feet apart 

 and six inches deep with a crowbar or iron rod. Into each hole about 

 one fourth of an ounce of the liquid is poured, after ^^•hich the hole is 

 quickly filled with earth, which is pressed down with the foot. The 

 volatile liquid quickly pushes out in all directions and kills all grubs 

 ill its path. 



In handling carbon bisulphide we must always remember its inflam- 

 mable nature and carefully keep it far from any fire. It is one of the 

 best specifics against pests in stored grain. 



