COCKCUAFEllS. 



199 



rare in tlic plains bnt more common in the hills, where the hcetlesare more 

 abundant. Cockchafers thrive best in the lorn;- open stretches of grass land, 

 and though found throughout the 

 plainS; rarely come in large numbers. 

 The time of emergence depends upon 

 climatic conditions and is usually 

 regular. A species that emerges at 

 the commencement of the rains does 

 so always, whatever the date of the 

 rains. It is accordingly possible to 

 expect these insects at regular 

 seasons, as at the beginning of the 

 rains, and to take measures accord- 

 ingly. In fruit gardens, certain 

 plants are especially attacked and 

 these must be protected. Only ex- 

 perience can tell which plant will be 

 attacked in any locality as the species 

 have differing habits. As a rule it 

 is useless to spray plants with lead 

 arseniate, as the beetles feed and 

 poison themselves but still strip the plants. Spraying with weak contact 

 poison is better as it makes the plants distasteful but the effect does not 

 last. The best and only real method is to use the light trap, an arrange- 

 ment of a lantern, two reflectors and a pan of jaggery or kerosene and 

 water. Where measures are required on a larger scale, fires are useful. 



Fortunately the beetles do 

 not fly for many nightsand 

 fires are not required for 

 long ; this is practically the 

 only method of protecting 

 crops. 



Cultivation of waste 

 lands, together with proper 

 cultivation of arable lahd^ 

 are radical cures for such 

 pests. The occurrence of 

 cocla^hafers in destructive 



Fig. 231. 



A Cockchafer Beetle. 



{Ilagnijied four times.) 



Fig. 232. 

 A Coc1cc7i,afer Beetle. {Magnified four times.) 



numbers depends largely upon the extent of unculiivated land and may 

 be looked for in perhaps every other season in places Avhere the conditions 

 for increase are suitable. Where the soil is ploughed or deeply cultivated 



