The Cane Grubs of Australia. 33 
about half an hour before sundown, or just before dusk, and the flight 
continues for about half an hour. A tree or shrub is chosen, usually close 
to a canefield, on which the beetles alight and immediately commence 
feeding. Observations show that through the night the beetles are quies- 
cent and do not fly, but towards morning and just before daybreak some 
leave their all-night position and fly off. Again at twilight, when a 
position has been taken up on the verge of a canefield, it has been noticed 
that there are two flights of beetles, one from the cane into the forest, the 
other and smaller fiight from the forest into the cane. Those flying into 
the fields would probably be females about to deposit eggs, which would 
also be apparent of those flying at dawn. During the day the beetles 
remain clinging to the feeding-tree and do not fly until evening. In eap- 
tivity, numbers hid in the earth during the day, coming to the surface 
again at dusk; but this does not appear to occur in the natural state, and it 
has been found that where beetles were in evidence before daylight the 
numbers were not diminished during the day. No food is eaten during 
the day, the beetles remaining hanging to the hidden and protected sides 
of the leaves, and sometimes to the smaller stems. Rain does not appear 
to affect this habit, as in rainy, windy weather they have been noticed 
in their usual positions. Mating has not been cbserved during the day, 
and but few observations have been made, but a mating pair has been 
captured at 7.30 p.m. (v.e., shortly after dark). As with allied species 
(namely, frencha and rothei), this probably takes place immediately 
after emergence. 
A sharp jar suffices to shake the beetles from the feeding-tree, but 
windy weather necessitates sharper jarring as they then cling more 
tightly. They fall headlong to the ground, and after a few moments 
bury themselves beneath any débris that lies near, not attempting to fly 
except in the afternoon, when they frequently spread their wings and 
sail or fly some distance before alighting. Individuals captured and 
thrown into the air generally fly. How far the beetles fly is a question 
not determined accurately. 
Trees on the edge of canefields are usually chosen for feeding pur- 
poses but all through the forest and often a mile or two from canefields 
beetles can be found. Dead specimens have been picked up ali the 
way up the forested slopes of Mount Pyramid, 3,000 feet, near Gordon- 
vale, except on the extreme summit, and fully a mile, as the crow flies, 
from the nearest canefield. 
The flight is slow and laborious, with a low drumming sound, the 
elytra being well raised. It would seem that they cannot see distinctly, 
as during flight numbers hit against roofs and walls of houses, &e. 
Artificial lights do not attract them, though occasionally stray specimens 
will fly to a light, but, considering the enormous numbers that must fly 
within the range of lights, this is only to be expected. 
Sometimes hundreds of beetles will congregate on one tree to feed, 
especially if the tree be large, but as a general rule only a small number 
collect on one tree. Special situations are often chosen, and numbers 
may be gathered day after day in one small area, where none can be 
found elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Trees of any size may be selected, 
but small shrubs and saplings (from 8 to 25 feet high) appear to be 
preferred; however, a large tree will often attract scores of bettles, while 
rarely is a small one crowded. That certain food-plants are favoured is 
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