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STKAWBERRY. 



Cockchafer. Melolontha viilffaris, Fab. 



Melolontha vulgaris. — Common Cockchafer, maggot, and pupa. 



The attacks of Cockchafer grubs to roots of crops, whether of grass 

 in pastures, to which they are exceedingly injurious, or of what may 

 be more especially known as root crops, as Turnips and Mangolds, or 

 Potatoes, up to mischief to the roots of young trees in nurseries, are 

 only too well-known ; but they are not often reported in this country 

 as injurious to Strawberry plants. In the past season, however, I had 

 just a few observations sent me (with specimens accompanying) of 

 damage caused to a troublesome extent by the attack of these grnbs 

 to Strawberry plants in the early summer. 



The first was sent me on May 28th regarding attack to a field of 

 Strawberries of about two acres in extent planted in the previous 

 autumn near St. Germans, Cornwall, and was a short note as follows : — 



" I send herewith a specimen of a grub that is eating off my 

 Strawberry plants just below the surface of the ground ; it takes them 

 clean off, just like a knife. What kind of grub is it ? and is there any 

 remedy?"— (J. P.) 



On June 16th Mr. S. J. Wilde, writing from Elm Lodge, Englefield 

 Green, Surrey, sent the following observations, with a sample (showing 

 the damage to be caused by Cockchafer grubs) accompanying : — 



" I lost a good many Strawberry plants last year, and am doing 

 the same this year, by the grub of which I send you a sample. My 

 gardener says it is the grub of the Cockchafer. I should be much 

 obliged if you say the same, and also if you can tell me what to do to 

 prevent the nuisance." 



