HOW TO DETECT OUTBREAKS OF INSECTS AND SAVE GRAIN. 17 



they approach the surface of the ground and begin to feed on the 

 roots of grasses, corn, potatoes, strawberries, and seedling trees, espe- 

 cially conifers. They feed ravenously during this second year of 

 their life and by fall are nearly full grown. 



If land is found to be heavily infested with the grubs, it should be 

 plowed thoroughly during the summer or early fall, the farm fowls 

 being allowed to follow the plow in order that they may find and eat 

 the grubs as these are brought to the surface. Chickens and other 

 farm poultry are very fond of the insects. Hogs may be turned 

 into such fields with profit, as it is their habit to root out and devour 

 the grubs in great numbers. 



On the approach of winter the nearly full-grown grubs once more 

 descend deeply into the ground in order to hibernate until spring, 

 when they come to the surface and feed for a few weeks. During 

 the early summer months, usually in June, they go down deeply for 

 the last time, changing to the resting stage or pupa during August, 

 and then to the beetle in late September. The beetles remain in the 

 ground all winter, coming up the following spring to feed upon the 

 leaves of trees and lay their eggs in the soil for another generation. 

 Thus it takes three years for most of the Avhite grubs to complete 

 their life cycle. I^sually, therefoi-e, they are especially abundant 

 in any one region only one year in every three. 



WHAT TO DO AT EACH STAGE OF WHITE-GRUB ATTACK. 



When heavy flights of May beetles are noticed. — Use lantern traps 

 during the beetles' flights. Spray trees with an arsenical, such as 

 Paris green or arsenate of lead, to poison beetles feeding thereon. 

 Plow grass and small grain land previous to October 1 to destroy 

 young grubs recently hatched from eggs laid by May beetles. 



When small grubs are abundant in the fall. — Plow thoroughly 

 previous to October 1. Pasture hogs and allow chickens the run of 

 fields when plowed. Seed such land to small grain or clover for 

 the following year. Do not plant corn or potatoes on such land the 

 following season. 



When small grubs are abundant In the spring. — Seed such land to 

 small grain or clover. Do not plant corn or wide-row crop in such 

 land. Put corn, potatoes, field beans, etc., on ground which has been 

 cleanly cultivated the preceding year. Pasture hogs on infested 

 ground, and give chickens the run of fields when plowing and 

 cultivating. 



When large grubs are abundant in the fall or spring. — Plow in- 

 fested land about October 1. Delay planting until the 15th or 20th 

 of May, or a little later if practicable. Ground containing large 

 grubs in spring should be plowed as soon after July 15 as practic- 



