FAMILY ELATERIDAE 231 



2. These small wireworms were found in patches of deodar seedlings in 

 the Taranda Forest, in Bashahr, which were being destroyed by large 

 melolonthid larvae. The elaters were not very abundant, and their attack 

 was distinguishable from that of the cockchafer grubs, since they only cut 

 the roots beneath the surface of the soil. The young plants were seen to be 

 dead or dying without any apparent cause, until they were pulled up, when 

 they came away in the hand, the roots having been cut clean through. 

 Grubs of this family move down lines of young nursery plants in Europe, 

 cutting through the roots in this manner. 



To clear the soil from such pests, digging in quicklime is recommended, 



when it can be done with safety, before putting in the 



Protection. seed. Flooding nursery beds and allowing them to 



stand under water for a time is a good method. All 



grubs appearing above the surface should be collected and killed, unless the 



flooding is done so as totally to submerge the beds. Watering the beds with 



a solution of copper sulphate is also at times effective. 



Other Undetermined Elaterid Larvae and Pupae. 



Elaterid larvae have also been taken : 



1. In Milletia lira/idisiana^ in the Kadin Bilin Forest in Tharrawaddy, on 23 January 

 1905. A number were taken beneath the bark of a stump of this tree in a 1904 tounggya 

 clearing. I am of opinion that the grubs were probably predaceous upon termites which 

 infested the stump. 



2. At the roots of dying Dalbergia sissoo trees in the Changa Manga Plantation, on 

 19 May 1905. The larvae were here feeding upon the roots of the tree. I took one pupa on 

 this date, but no mature beetles. 



