GRAPE INSECTS 



445 



furrows in the bark of the larger roots and main stem under- 

 ground. The injury to the roots is by far the more important. 

 The grubs eat off 

 all the finer roots 

 and often strip the 

 bark from the larger 

 roots, thus depriv- 

 ing the plant of its 

 supply of food and 

 moisture. Badly 

 infested vines soon 

 take on a stunted 

 sickly appearance, 



the leaves turn yellowish, and many fall prematurely, leaving the 

 fruit to wither and drop. In severe cases the vines may be 

 killed outright. Under certain conditions the insect is capable 

 of ruining a vineyard in one or two seasons. 



Cluster of grape root-worm eggs, en- 

 larged. 



Fio. .S85. — Grape root-worm eggs in position on grape canes. 



The grape root-worm beetle (Fig. 383) is about J inch in 

 length, grayish-brown in color, with brown legs and yellowish- 



