366 STKAwr.Er.RY. 



The eggs are laid in the ground, where the maggots hatch 

 and feed for two or three years. When full-grown they are 

 upwards of an inch and a half in length, thick and fleshy, of 

 a whitish colour, with an ochreous head armed with strong 

 jaws ; the pairs of short feet are of a rusty ochreous colour, 

 and the hinder portion of the grub or maggot is enlarged, 

 curved towards the head, and of a lead-colour. These grubs 

 are much like those of the Cockchafer, but, amongst other 

 points, are distinguished by having a horny rusty spot on each 

 side of the segment behind the head. 



When full-fed they make earth-cases "as large as a walnut," 

 at a considerable depth beneath the surface, which are smooth 

 inside, but covered outside with pellets of soil which have 

 passed through their own bodies ; and in these cocoons they 

 turn to ochre-coloured pupae. The figure shows the appear- 

 ance of the hack of one of these, the legs and wings being 

 folded beneath. 



The Chafers, which sometimes appear as early as the 

 beginning of May, are of the shape and size figured, of a rich 

 metallic golden green above, with white or ochreous spots or 

 streaks looking like cracks running across the bright green of 

 the wing-cases ; beneath they are coppery, with a rose-coloured 

 tint. The horns are much like those of the Cockchafer, 

 excepting that the club is formed of only three leaves (see fig. 

 of horns of Cockchafer, p. 229). 



Beneath the wing-cases are large brown membranous wings, 

 by means of which when they have finished whatever is eat- 

 able in one place they can fly with ease to another ; it may 

 be a Strawberry bed, or may l3e a held of Turnips in blossom ; 

 and thus, if the weather is fine, they continue to attack what- 

 ever may attract them throughout the summer ; in wet 

 weather they die earlier in the season. — (John Curtis in 

 ' Gard. Chron.' for 1841, &c.) 



Prevention and Remedies. — The beetles are so large and 

 so sluggish in dull weather that there is then no difficulty in 

 taking them by hand ; during sunshine they may be taken 

 with a bag-net, and destroyed in any way that may be most 

 convenient. 



Where the maggots are numerous, they should be got rid of 

 by turning over the soil, or by spreading neglected heaps of 

 rich earth, old cucumber-beds, and similar places which they 

 frequent, and hand-picking all that are seen. Poultry will 

 help very much in clearing the grubs, if driven in whilst the 

 ground is being turned over. 



Where the attack is on the roots of growing plants, it will 

 be found serviceable to have a few tame Books or Sea Gulls 



