149 
“THe Fie Hater.” 
Allorhina nitida, L. 
Order CongopTtera. Family Scarapmipm. 
[Plate VII, Fig. 6.] 
This species, abundant southward, but unknown in the northern 
part of the State, is included among insects injurious to the straw- 
berry, upon the strength of a statement made by Prof. Riley, in 
the first volume of the American Entomologist (p. 245). Speaking 
of the adult beetle, he says: 
‘In the larval state they feed on the roots of plants, and are 
sometimes quite injurious to the strawberry.” 
The larvee are so similar to the common white grub in appear- 
ance and habits, as well as in food preferences, that, like the pre- 
ceding species, they have doubtless been commonly confounded 
with it. 
The adult beetle is called the ‘‘fig eater” in the Southern States, 
from its habit of feeding upon the ripened fig, and it is also known 
to devour other fruits as well. 
The larva seems commonly to live upon the roots of grass, but 
probably feeds like its nearest relatives, almost indiscriminately, ac- 
cording to situation. The following observations made by Mr. L. O. 
Howard, and reported in the Canadian Entomologist for October, 
1879, will illustrate the normal habit of the larva: 
‘While walking through the Capitol grounds a few hours after a 
heavy shower of rain, [ observed these larve in great numbers upon 
the stone pavement, north and east of the Capitol building. I 
counted up to three hundred, and then came to a spot where they 
were so thick that I had to give it up. I certainly saw thousands, 
nearly all of which were dead, either from heat or from having been 
trodden upon. Upon interviewing the superintendent of the grounds, 
I learned that at this season of the year the grubs always make 
their appearance in like numbers after a hard rain. This gentle- 
man informed me, and his statement was corroborated by several 
others, that frequently the sweepers of a morning, in going over 
the walks, would collect at the bottom of the hill as many as a bushel 
of the grubs. The pavement is edged on both sides by a two-inch 
curb, and the larve falling over this are unable to return; only 
those grubs inhabiting the earth near the curb would reach the 
walk, and the great numbers killed in this way after every shower, 
afford an index to the immense number which the entire lawn must 
contain. Yet, in spite of this most serious drawback, as one would 
naturally call it, the grass over the entire plot is so fresh and green 
as to call for universal admiration.” 
“The movements of the larve upon the smooth pavement were 
very interesting. The characteristic bend of the body unfits them 
for walking on smooth surfaces, and every live individual that I 
observed was upon its back moving forward quite rapidly by the 
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