227 



and bark-beetles to kill the trees. M. intnisa, Horn, usually lives 

 in the suppressed limbs of living trees and sometimes attacks saplings. 

 M. aeneula, Melsh., infests overtopped branches and trees of scrub 

 pine {Pinus virginiana) and other pines. 



The only known method of dealing with these beetles in the forests 

 is the burning the infested wood and bark before the adults emerge. 

 Parasites and predators are of considerable assistance in reducing 

 their numbers and as knowledge of these increases and improved 

 methods of forestry are put into practice it is hoped that the depreda- 

 tions of Melano'phila spp, will be prevented rather than controlled. 



Hayes (W. P.). The Life-cycle of Lachnosterna lanceolata, Say. — Jl. 

 Econ: Entom., Concord, N.H., xii, no. 1, February 1919, pp. 109- 

 117, 2 figs. 



The grubs of Lachnosterna lanceohta, Say^ during the past few 

 years have caused great destruction every autumn soon after wheat 

 planting in southern Kansas and northern Oklahoma, damaging 

 thousands of acres of young winter wheat. In other parts of Kansas 

 the grubs are abundant on pasture grasses and have also been observed 

 feeding on growing oats. The species is practically confined to^ the 

 region east of the Eocky Mountains and west of the Mississippi Kiver. 

 The females are wingless and cannot travel far, hence the spread of 

 the species is slow. Two years seems to be the normal length of the 

 life-cycle in Kansas, though in some cases the larval stage is prolonged 

 so that three years is required. The generations overlap, all stages 

 appearing every season. Oviposition begins late in June and extends 

 until August, the eggs being laid singly or in small groups in clumps 

 of soil at a depth of from one to seven inches. These hatch in about 

 16 days and larvae are present until June of the second year, this 

 stage therefore lasting slightly over 22 months. Pupation occurs in 

 June or July and averages 13 days, the species thus differing from 

 other white grubs that generally pupate in the autumn, having passed 

 through only one winter. A list of food-plants of L. lanceolata is 

 given, comprising 27 field species, chiefly native weeds, and 26 plants 

 on which the adults were observed to feed in cages. Wild clover 

 is a favourite food-plant, while lucerne remains almost untouched. 

 In pasture land, ironweed {Vemonia haldwini) seems to be preferred, 

 eggs frequently being laid at the base of this plant. 



None of the usual parasites of Lachnosterna have been noted in 

 Kansas. One adult of Sarcophaga prohibita, Aid,, was reared from 

 Lachnosterna and, while it is the first record of this kind, it is believed 

 to be a true parasite. 



Owing to the fact that L. lanceolata does not travel far, the injury 

 is cumulative in fields sown with wheat year after year, and increases 

 in severity annually. It follows that one of the best remedial 

 measures is rotation of crops. A rotation of maize, oats and wheat 

 has proved very effective in preventing damage by this species. 

 With a crop of maize or sorghum, the repeated working of the ground 

 destroys large numbers of the grubs. It is found that a change in 

 the system of crops is necessary only once in about five years. The 

 usual methods of turning pigs into infested fields, ploughing imme- 

 diately after harvest and keeping down weeds both in and around 

 the fields, all assist in the control of these grubs. 



