62 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 



common throughout the United States that 

 they need no introduction. They are particu- 

 larly abundant in grasslands, both meadows 

 and pastures, owing to the fact that their 

 principal food is the roots of grass, weeds, 

 and herbs. These insects destroy practi- 

 cally every strawberry plant almost as soon 

 as it is set, if sod ground is used for grow- 

 ing strawberries. 



When the grubs have become full-grown, 

 they have a rest period or pupal stage in 

 which they encase themselves in earthen 

 cells in the soil. After a certain lapse of 

 time they come out as small beetles and feed 

 upon the foliage of the plants, sometimes 

 doing considerable damage. 



The remedy for the insects in the larval 

 stage is to fall plough sod land, following this 

 by one or more years of crops that require 

 good tillage. In the case of the strawberry 

 beds being affected, it would be very difficult 

 to deal with the grubs on account of their 

 underground habits. If badly affected it 

 would be better to plough up. Breeding 

 grounds, such as old strawberry beds, should 

 not be allowed to remain. 



Crown eaters. — Several different insects 



