48 



FOREST ENTOMOLOGY. 



" Life-history and economy. In West and South Germany, similar 

 to those of the common cockchafer, with which it swarms, but in 

 smaller numbers. In East and West Prussia in the midst of great 



Scots pine woods, this species alone destroys 

 forests, the common cockchafer confining its 

 attacks to agricultural lands. It does not 

 merely attack horse - chestnut, as its name 

 implies, but nearly all trees. The larvae are 

 highly destructive to young Scots pines three 

 to six years old, but in their fourth summer 

 they attack the roots of poles fifteen to eigh- 

 teen years old, and even those of older trees. 

 Season for swarming early (April). The eggs 

 are laid eight to fourteen days afterwards, 

 10 to 14 inches deep in dry soil, but in moist 

 soil only 2^ to 4 inches deep. The larvse appear in. July, and pupate 

 in August of the fifth year, about \h foot deep. The chafers come 

 out in September and October, but remain underground till the next 

 spring. A more northern insect than the common cockchafer ; in Great 

 Britain confined to Scotland and the extreme north of England." 1 



Fig. 47. Melolontha hippo- 

 castani. (From ' Forest Pro- 

 tection,' by W. R. Fisher.) 



Genus Agrilus. 



This genus is probably more important in forest entomology than 

 hitherto considered. There are five British species, and it would be 

 well for the student to give them special attention. 



Agrilus viridis, Linn, (the Beech Agrilus). 2 



As this is a south -country species, and one which I have not 

 found, the following is copied from Mr Theobald : 



" Although rare, this beetle has been complained about as a pest 

 amongst sapling beech -trees, whilst it is also said to attack birch, 

 alder, aspen, and oak. 



"The damage is done by the larvae of this beetle, which burrow 



1 Forest Protection, by W. R. Fisher (Dr Schlich's Manual of Forestry), vol. 

 iv. p. 209, second edition, 1907. 



2 The Animal Pests of Forest Trees. 



