22 THE WHITE- GRUBS. 



the name of army-worm, yet for a number of years 

 it could not be found in the same region except by a 

 trained collector. Here in St. Anthony Park it flies in large 

 numbers from June 29th to Aug. 26th, and as the moths 

 gathered on sugar during this time are all in fine condition 

 it shows conclusively^ that they are constantly hatching 

 throughout these three months. This insect was also found 

 in great numbers at Duluth. 



THE WHITE-GRUBS. 

 ( Ldcli n osterna i<pe('. ) . 

 During the past few years a number of beetles proved 

 very destructive to various cultivated and wild plants. 

 Some of these were old and well-known offenders, while one 

 species, a rose-beetle, formerly quite uncommon in our state, 

 appeared in large and destructive numbers . Most of these beet- 

 les belong to the well-known family of insects usually called 

 White- grubs, June-bugs or May-beetles. The genus Lacli- 

 nosterna, which comprises beetles of this kind, is a very large 

 one, and quite a number of species belonging to it occur in 

 our state. Only two species, however, are very injurious, 

 both as larv£e and adults; the smaller, Lachnosterna trii^tls 

 Fab., is sometimes found in immense numbers in the vicinity 

 of oaks, while Lachvosterna rugosa Melsh. occurs throughout 

 the state. Fig. 15, plate II, shows both species of may- 

 beetles. Early in June, when wre pass a grove of oak trees 

 at dusk, we sometimes hear sounds that seem to indicate the 

 presence of bees in full activity, but as no bees fly at night 

 we soon detect that this peculiar sound is not produced by 

 them but by the first of the above named beetles. They do 

 not measure much more than half an inch in length, and are 

 distinguished from all other may-beetles found in Minnesota 

 by their pale yellowish-brown color, which has a red tinge 

 on the head, thorax and legs, and a more yellowish one on 

 the wing- covers. The insect is quite hair^', especiall)^ if 

 viewed from the side; these hairs in a fresh specimen are 

 of a golden-3^ellow color. During the day none of these in- 

 sects can be found except by digging for them in the ground, 

 and even then it is merely done by accident. Toward even- 

 ing, however, they leave the ground aid fly to the nearest 



