FARM PESTS 49 



as they appear. They prefer dry weather and dusty 

 soil, so that showery conditions are a double protection, 

 hurrying the turnips on past the critical period and also 

 discouraging the pest. The adult insects, as happens in 

 so many instances with beetles, pass the winter under 

 clods of soil, where they lay in wait for the first green 

 leaves to destroy them. They also hide in old turf, 

 tufts of grass, and rubbish in hedgerows, living upon 

 wild radish, charlock and other weeds until the turnips 

 come up. They then lay eggs upon the second, or rough, 

 pair of leaves, where the yellow larvae mine about in 

 the tissues, pupating in the ground when full-fed. In a 

 short time (less than a month) the complete cycle is per- 

 fected, and so there may be as many as six broods in a 

 season, which accounts for their vast numbers. Both 

 beetles and larvae gnaw the plants. 



Seed soaked in paraffin acts as a deterrent, whilst 

 every care should be taken to keep down weeds, and 

 clear away rubbish and litter. The drills should be well 

 rolled when the seed is in, as this will break down the 

 clods and get rid of hiding-places for the pest. An 

 ingenious check consists in drawing over the ground a 

 fight framework on wheels, of boards with the underside 

 tarred, the height above the soil being just sufficient to 

 pass immediately above the plants. In this way the 

 beetles, being startled, fly upwards and are caught on 

 the wet tar, whence they can be scraped off and the tar 

 renewed. (See Plate 10.) 



The Turnip Mud Beetle has quite difl'erent habits. 

 Both beetle and larva work together however, and they 

 gnaw the surface of the bulb about in such a way that 

 rain and fungi are able to enter and so destroy the plant. 

 The leaves and stalks are also eaten. The adult is about 

 ^ inch long, dark red really, but as a rule covered with 

 mud. The larva is spotted and fight brown. They 

 breed throughout the season. A stimulating di-essing is 

 the best means of prevention, so as to hurry the crop on 



D 



