6 Notes on Habits and Metamorphosis of Lepidiota frenchi, Black. 
HABITS OF THE BEETLE PRIOR TO OVIPOSITION. 
Lepidiota frenchi oceurs both in our so-called forest country and 
densely timbered serub lands, its range of flight extending practically 
throughout North East Queensland. 
It usually appears in December, a week or so later than our grey- 
hack cane-beetle, and may confidently be expected to emerge immediately 
after the occurrence of rain sufficiently heavy to thoroughly moisten the 
subsoil. 
Unlike albohirta, the species in question has a two-years’ life-cycle, 
so that although in evidence each season it is only excessively abundant 
every second year, when the beetles, emerging as they do in countless 
thousands from grass lands, roadways, &c., generally attract considerable 
notice. 
Some idea of their numbers at such times may be gathered from the 
faet that in 1915 four beetle-collectors in half an hour picked off 23 Ib. 
of these cockchafers from the wire fence ef Gordonvale Recreation 
Zeserve, in the centre of the township. It takes on an average 475 
specimens to weigh 1 lb.; so that the above quantity represented no 
less than 10,925 beetles. 
In the event of abnormally dry conditions prevailing during Decem- 
ber, two emergences of frenchi may take place. 
In 1915, for instance, when the rainfall for December was 4-90 
inches below the average, a small primary brood appeared about 
Christmas time; but, owing to the registration for the following month 
being 15-63 inches below the average, the main body constituting the 
rest of the brood were unable to escape from the soil until about the 
end of January. 
During December, 1916, however, when the rainfall happened to be 
16-14 inches in excess of the average for that month. the beetles made 
their normal appearance en masse on the 15th instant, and no secondary 
emergence was recorded. 
The aerial movements of Lepidiota frenchi were briefly described by 
the writer in a previous monthly report. Vireinal flight commences on 
the first approach of twilight (about 6.45 p.m.), when suddenly and 
without warning of any kind myriads of these insects start up simul- 
taneously from every quarter and wildly dash to and fro as though 
determined to make the most of the brief period afforded them for 
exercising their wings. Such animation strikes one as being decidedly 
novel, and, apart from its scientific significance, well worth witnessing. 
Standing among the cane stools, one seems to be literally encompassed 
by an immense whirling swarm of beetles—thousands being in view at 
the same time—which in their erratic ill-direeted flight keep knocking 
themselves against the stiff leaves, the clapping noise produced by the 
