Notes on the Habits and Metamorphosis of 
a) =.» L-epidiotajirenchi; Blackes + 
INTRODUCTION, 
THIS interesting insect, although less harmful to cane than our grey-back 
cockchafer, is perhaps equally well known to growers in the Cairns dis- 
trict; and may, indeed, be considered as ranking second in economic 
importance among the Searabacide affecting sugar-cane in Northern 
Queensland. 
As mentioned in a previous report, Lepidiota frenchi feeds habitually 
on the roots of native cereals and other herbaceous plants, but has 
already acquired a liking for cane. 
A decided outbreak of this pest occurred at Meringa during April, 
1917, when 186 second-stage grubs were collected in a few hours from 
5? chains of furrow whilst ploughing red volcanic land; representing 
about 2,418 grubs per acre, or 0-85 to each stool of cane. 
In view of its near relationship to our notorious grey-back cockchafer 
(Lepidiota albohirta, Water.), its excessive abundance, the varied nature 
of its dietary, its common occurrence in canefields, and evident liking 
for cane roots, the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations has thought 
it advisable to issue a Special Bulletin dealing with the life-history and 
economy of this insect. 
The author’s illustrations are designed to admit of the beetle in 
question being readily identified, and, at the same time, will enable 
entomologists to separate it from a closely allied scarabaeid figured in 
Bulletin No. 3 of this Office (Lepidiota, No. 683 in our collection) which 
some coleopterists consider to be identical with frenchi, but, in the 
writer’s opinion, presents slight structural and other differences  suffi- 
ciently marked to entitle it to rank perhaps as a separate species. 
My thanks are due to Mr. A. M. Lee, Entomologist at Adelaide 
National Museum, who in 1915 very kindly examined several specimens 
of this common melolonthid infesting our canefields, which he at once 
identified as being Lepidiota frenchi, Blackburn. I may say that Mr. 
Lee is inclined to think that possibly our Lepidiota No. 683 may belong 
to a large ‘‘race’’ of L. frenchi, Black. 
