210 PROTECTION AOAINST INSECTS. 



old, but in their fourth summer they attack the roots of poles 

 15 to 18 years old, and even those of older trees. Season 

 for swarming somewhat early (April). The eggs are laid 8 

 to 14 days afterwards 10 to 14 inches deep in dry soil, but 

 in moist soil only 2J to 4 inches deep. The larvae appear in 

 July, and pupate in August of the fifth year, about 1^ feet 

 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. 



Protective measures. — Same as for the common cockchafer. 



Fig. 11 .—Mehlontha Fig 78,—Ji/iizotroffiis 



hipjjocastani, Fabr. sohtitialis, L. 



3. Rhizotrogus sohtitialis, L. {June chafer), 

 a. Description. 

 Beetle 15 to 17 mm. long, similar to the two former, but 

 with the abdomen not produced into a tail. Brownish-yellow, 

 with 4 raised carinae on each elytron ; the prothorax, scutellum 

 and underside covered with long hair. Antennae 9-jointed, 

 the club 3-jointed. Claws with a small tooth at their base. 



//. Life-liifitory, elr. 



Similar to the common cockchafer. Flight-time some- 

 what later, in June and July. The beetle attacks young 

 Scots pine shoots, but prefers the beech, hornbeam, poplars, 

 willows, etc. The larvae devour the roots of small plants 

 chiefly of grasses and grain crops. The insect is found iii 

 sandy soil, but is less frequent in forests than the two 



