84 The Cane Grubs of Australia. 
evident; observations, however, have been restricted to seasons when the 
beetles were comparatively few, and in abundant seasons trees may be 
attacked indiscriminately. Food-plants may belong to almost any order, 
whereas trees in the same genus, and obviously very closely related, may 
or may not suffer defoliation. Jungle (7.e., scrub) or forest trees are 
attacked without difference. Around Gordonvale the country is mostly 
forest, which may account for the preponderance of forest trees given 
in the food list. Tryon (in 1896, p. 19) remarks as follows :—*‘Since 
their (i.e., the beetles’) food is yielded almost wholly by the leaves of 
so-called scrub trees, they are almost exclusively found within or in the 
vicinity of scrubs, or along the course of creeks that are fringed by 
scrub vegetation.’’ Our experience at Gordonvale shows that the beetles 
feed throughout the forest land as well as on the fringes of jungle 
vegetation. This may be accounted for by the prevalence of forest (7.e., 
open bush with typical Austrahan Hucalyptus and other flora) lands. 
Individual beetles may feed on more than one kind of food-plant, as 
has been abundantly proved in captivity. The following list of food- 
plants has been compiled from direct observation. As most of the 
observations have been made during the past year, when beetles were 
not plentiful, and almost solely in the vicinity of Gordonvale, the list 
is no doubt far from complete, though it probably includes most of the 
commoner and more frequent food-plants. 
(1) The Figs (Ficus sp.) —F ive species of Ficus are known to us 
that are attacked by the beetles; they are amongst the 
commonest food-plants. Of these five, the most favoured is 
the ornamental cultivated weeping fig. Each plant of this 
species is periodically visited by the beetles, although no 
instance has come to our knowledge of any of these trees 
being greatly defohated. The four other species are usually 
met with along edges of jungles, and are not so preferred. 
(2) Eugenia sp. (Wild or River Cherry).—A very common plant 
along the Mulgrave River and lowland creek banks. Only one 
record of this tree being a food-plant was made, when about 
twenty beetles were gathered from one tree. 
(3) Philanthus sp—aA rather common tree growing in the vicinity 
of jungles, but beetles have been observed upon it only once. 
(4) Miscellaneous Jungle Trees.—On several occasions, beetles 
have been taken from unknown jungle trees. 
(5) Leichhardt Tree.—Very plentiful in swampy streams, or 
along creek banks, but rarely attacked. 
(6) The Cultivated Mango.—Odd specimens have been taken 
Several times from the leaves of this tree, but it is not an 
important food-plant. 
(7) The Cocoanut Palm.—A rare tree around Gordonvale. Trees 
have been noticed that were greatly damaged. 
(8) Tar Tree—A native tree attaining great size and growing 
freely along the fringes of jungles. Beetles have been found 
attacking it on several occasions, trees of large size, from 
50 to 70 feet high, being attacked. 
