554 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



tiires of Mucor exitiosus were used iu attempts to infect locusts. The fungus 

 failed to make a good growth even when inoculated into wounds of Acridium 

 CBTuginosum and A. succinctum. The locusts may eat the spores with impunity. 

 No infection occurs when the locusts are kept in a moist atmosphere and 

 sprayed with spores. t>uring the experiments a few of the locusts died but 

 apparently not as a result of the fungus. Negative results were also obtained 

 in tests with the fungus on Hicrogli/pJius furcifer. 



On the life history, habits, and econoniic relations of the white grubs and 

 May beetles, S. A. Forbes (Illinois Sta. Bui. 116, jrp. Jf.'il-JiSO) . — In Illinois 8 

 species of Lachnosterna are known to be injurious. These are L. fusca, L: ru- 

 gosa, L. inversa, L. impUcita, L. gibbosa, L. tristis, L. ilicis, and L. hirticula. 

 The length of the life cycle of these si)ecies is not definitely known but prob- 

 ably it is from 3 to 4 years according to climatic and other conditions. 



The eggs hatch within 10 days to 4 weeks after they are deposited. White 

 grubs which are found in the soil later than the middle of September do not 

 appear as beetles until the following year. Numerous observations were made, 

 the results of which are stated in tabular form, I'egarding the relative abund- 

 ance of tlie different species of Lachnosterna at lights, on trees, and in differ- 

 ent localities and years and on different species of trees. Apparently white 

 grubs feed on a considerable variety of plants without showing any great 

 preference except that the poplar is in some instances at least a favorite food. 

 There is no evidence of any migratory movement of May beetles at any stage 

 of development. 



According to the author's observations adult beetles seldom tly during nights 

 when the temperature is below 52° F. These insects hibernate in both the 

 larval and adult stages. The grubs are found from 3 in. to 2 ft. below the sur- 

 face depending upon the prevailing temperature. They are*souiewhat more 

 abundant iu light and dry than in heavy and moist soil and accumulate to the 

 greatest extent in fields allowed to remain for long periods in pasture. The 

 grubs may destroy the turf of lawns, strawberry vines, young evergreens in 

 nurseries, and cause serious damage to grass and corn. 



The principal enemies of these pests are pigs, crows, blackbirds, and species 

 of Tiphia and a number of other less important insect parasites. In an ex- 

 periment carried out by the author 100 pigs and 8 sows were turned into a 

 badly infested field of 10 acres. In a month's time about 99 per cent of the 

 grubs had been destroyed. May beetles may also be destroyed by spraying in- 

 fested trees with arsenical poisons and by offering bounties for the collection 

 of adult beetles. 



On the life history of the root maggot, Anthomyia radicum, C. G. Hewitt 

 (Join: Econ. Biol., 2 (1907), No. 2, pp. 56-63, pi. 1). — In breeding cages the 

 eggs of Anthomyia radicum were laid in fresh horse manure. The egg stage 

 covers 18 to 36 hours, the first larval stage 24 hours, the second 48 hours, the 

 third 5 days, and the pupal stage 10 days. In hot weather the life cycle may 

 be completed in a shorter time. The life history of .1. radicum and -1. brassicw 

 is compared. 



Asparagus insects, P. Lesne (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., J 4 (1907), No. 36, 

 pp. 308-311, pi. 1). — Biological and economic notes are given on Grioccris aspar- 

 agi, C. 12-punctata, Platyparea pwciloptera, Agromyza simplex. Aphis papaveris, 

 etc. In controlling asparagus beetles handpicking and the use of lime are 

 recommended. 



Insect pests of the artichoke, P. Lesne (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., l.'i (1907), 

 No. 28, pp. .'i9-52, pi. 1). — The artichoke is excessively infested with insect 

 pests. The author discusses from biological and economic standpoints a num- 



