Notes on Insects Damaging Sugar Cane in Queensland. 39 



(44) LEPIDIOTA No. 683 (FRENCHI ?) (Family MELOLONTHIDAE). 

 Plate IV., Fig. 44. p. 34. 



Found occasionally in canefields at Gordouvale and more plenti- 

 fully at Kuranda. This beetle is thought to be identical with Lepidiota 

 frenchi, Blackb. (see Plate IV., Fig. 41), but is certainly larger than 

 that species, and, moreover, possesses structural differences, the teeth 

 of the front tibiae being noticeably more obtuse and its tarsal claws shorter 

 and less acute. Such characters are, however, somewhat unreliable, but 

 other specific distinctions occur in the imago, larval, and pupal stages of 

 this insect. Length, 28-50 mm. (ly^ inches). 



(45) LEPIDIOTA, sp., No. 215 (Family MELOLONTHIDAE). 



Plate IV., Fig. 45, p. 34. 



Not unconnnon in red volcanic soil, and has been taken in cane- 

 fields. 



Description of Beetle. 



Slightly larger and darker than L. rotJiei, from which it differs in 

 having smaller and narrower scales, the centre of clypeus more deeply 

 notched, the ventral area of abdomen less densely scaled, and darker 

 legs. In addition to the foregoing distinctions this species has a two 

 years life-cycle, and its larval and pupal stages also differ from those of 

 rothei. (See Bull. No. 2 of this Bureau, pages 15 and 38). Length, 

 19 mm. (% of an inch). Acetylene light is very attractive to the adult. 



(46) DASYGNATHUS AUSTRALIS-DEJEANI, Macl. (Family DYNASTIDAE). 

 Plate IV., Fig. 46, p. 34. 



The frequent occurrence of this abundant species in canefields, 

 coupled with its very extensive range of distribution, entitles it to rank 

 fourth in importance among our Scarabaeidae affecting sugar-cane. 



Description of Beetle. 



Varying from uniform dark shining brown to black. Elytra 

 striated, with about seven rows of coarse punctures on each elytron. 

 Prothorax apparently smooth, but in reality minutely punctate ; simple 

 in females, but with front vertically hollowed in the opposite sex, and 

 produced centro-dorsally into two short obtuse points. Head of male 

 furnished with a short slightly curved horn. Sides and frontal edge of 

 clypeus straight, and directed upwards. Length (about % of an inch). 



