244 



INSECTS AFFECTING GRASS. 



surface. These are the larva? of Crane Flies, the 

 large two-winged insect represented natural size at 

 c of the figure. The adults appear in spring, often 

 in great numbers, and deposit numerous eggs in 

 grass lands. In a short time these eggs hatch into 



Fig. 132. Crane Fly: a, larva; b, pupa; c, adult. 



small, blackish grubs that feed upon the roots of 

 grasses and other plants. They continue feeding for 

 some time before becoming full-grown — their food 

 including much decaying vegetation as well as the 

 living roots, — when they are about an inch long, and 

 of a 'dirty [grayish black color. They now change to 



