HAHN 
may feel secure that among the many consequences of er- 
ratic rainfall the damage by ground beetles will not be 
one 
16 
The larger ground beetle (G. depressum.) (Plate I, fig. 1.) 
—The life history of this species is much the same as that 
of G. hofmannsegei. The surface of the adult is smoother. 
There is therefore less accumulation of mud on the sur- . 
face which usually shows the normal dull black colour. 
The eggs and larvee are, as is to be expected, larger but are 
similar in structure. ‘I'he larve are larger by about 5 mm. 
and are usually marbled with black. Their habits are 
the same. All that has been said about the life history 
G. hofmannseggi applies to that of G. depressum also. 
This species has seldom been note as a pest but 
there is the possibility of it assuming that character when 
conditions are favourable. 
Summary.-— 
(1) The two ground beetles G. hofmannseggi and 
G. depressum are common in Mysore. 
(2) The larve usually attack the roots of grass and 
the adults feed on decaying vegetation, but 
both may attack a summer crop like the 
potato. 
(3) The larvee become pests of ragi (Kleusine cora- 
cana) in regious of deficient rainfall when the 
rains are delayed after sowing and the larve | 
have not sufficient moisture to pupate. Crops 
like the potato grown in summer are also liable 
to attack mainly by the adults which are at- 
tracted to it. 
(4) The life history usually takes a year, the larval 
life being confined to the hot weather. The 
beetles emerging after the first heavy rains re- 
main inactive until December following when 
they commence to breed. 
(5) A second brood is possible in years when the 
first heavy showers are followed by a drought 
of two or three months. 
(6) The pest may be controlled by the collection 
of beetles in October by means of fresh weeds 
pulled out along with roots and spread along 
the bunds. 
(7) There are three enemies, an acarid on the adult, 
a wasp and an ichneumon on the larva. These 
are not efficient checks, 
