252 OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



known in appearance. The female Cockchafer 

 deposits her eggs in the ground, and from these 

 emerge the whitish, fleshy looking larvae. The 

 larvae, when full-grown, are curious-looking 

 creatures about two to three inches in length; 

 the head is brown and horny, and the jaws are 

 well developed; the six legs are immediately 

 behind the head, on the thoracic segments of the 

 body ; the body terminating in a large sac. 

 When brought up to the surface of the soil by a 

 spade or the plough, the larva assumes a very 

 characteristic and somewhat rigid bent position, 

 only feebly moving when touched. 



The larval stage of the Cockchafer lasts from 

 three to four years, during the whole of which 

 period the insect remains beneath the surface, 

 feeding voraciously upon the roots of sapling 

 trees and other plants. When ready to pupate 

 the larva digs deep down into the soil, where it 

 forms a little chamber within which to pass the 

 final stage of its metamorphosis. The perfect 

 chafer soon emerges from the pupa, but does 

 not immediately quit the little chamber in which 

 the final change has taken place, often remaining 

 in a state of hibernation until the end of spring. 

 The Chafer has a heavy, rather blundering flight, 

 and before rising from the ground may be seen 

 to rapidly vibrate its wings for a minute or two, 

 preparatory to taking flight. This curious move- 

 ment of the Cockchafer, which has something to 

 do with the filling of its tracheal tubes with air, 

 the children of the western provinces of France 

 call " compte ses ecus, 11 and they sing to the beetle 

 this old-world refrain : 



