38 Notes on Insects Damaging Sugar Cane in Queensland. 



scalloped. Lower edges of hind margin of same bordered densely with 

 scales. Edges of suture slightly emarginate. Ventral surface and legs, 

 more or less thickly clothed with white sc^ales, which on abdomen are 

 circular and absent on anterior edges of segments, and minute on sides 

 or bod}^; but on thoracic plates vary from round to pear-shape and in the 

 vicinity of coxa? are replaced by long silvery hairs. Length, 24 mm.. 

 (nearly 1 inch). 



Natural Enemies.- — A dexiid fly (undetermined) bred March, 1915. 



(42) LEPIDIOTA ROTHEI, Blackb. (Family MELOLONTHTDAE). 



Plate IV., Fig. 42. p. 34. 

 A fairly plentiful species, occurring sparingly in canefields. 



Description of Beetle. 



Dark shining reddish-brown, appearing to the naked eye slightly 

 whitish on dorsal surface owing to the presence of innumerable fine 

 punctures, each containing a single waxy-looking pear-shaped scale. 

 Ventral area and legs more or less densely clothed with light-gray scales 

 except on tarsi and anterior margins of abdominal segments. Length, 

 17-50 mm. (nearly % of an inch). 



Natural Enemies. — A dexiid tiy (undetermined), bred February, 

 1915; " Digger-wasp " {JJiclis formosus), bred December, 1914. 



(43) LEPIDIOTA CAUDATA, Blackb. (Family MELOLONTHIDAE). 



Plate IV., Fig. 43, p. 34. 



Grubs of this bettle are not uncommon in canefields, and being fully 

 as large as those of the " gray-back " albohirta, capable of inflicting 

 serious damage. L. canelata is especially harmful to cane growing near 

 scrub lands, and occurred in great numbers during October, 1915, at 

 Deeral and McDonald's Creek. 



Drscripfion of Beetle. 



Brownish-red, slightly darker than in L. frenehi. ])ut not as dark 

 as in rotkei. Freshly emerged specimens have an opalescent sheen, 

 which, although somewhat transient, affords a useful specific distinction. 

 The dorsal surface is more sparingly and minutely punctulate than in 

 frenehi, with the scales, although circular, iiiucli siiuiller. The ventral 

 area differs also in having the centre of abdomen l)l;u'kish. and almost 

 bare ; the scales smaller, ovate or pear-shaped instead of round ; and the 

 third tooth at centre of front til)ia' much reduced and l)luntei'. Length, 

 25 mm. (about 1 inch). 



