258 INSECT ENEMIES OF THE FLOWER GARDEN 



as the result of the work of these larvae, which eat the roots. Sod 

 thus affected can be easily rolled up from the earth, as one would 

 roll a piece of carpet, disclosing the grubs below. At least two 

 years are required for these bisects to mature, and since their 

 presence for the first year, on account of their small size, is not 

 evident, a lawn rarely suffers for two years in succession. Robins 

 are very fond of white grubs, and may frequently be seen pulling 

 them from the sod. Copious watering where water is convenient 

 serves to keep the grass growing in spite of their ravages. Fre- 

 quent hoeing and cultivation about plants occasionally discloses 

 grubs, which may be guilty of eating the roots and thus killing a 

 plant. Lantern traps are sometimes employed (see page 49) to 

 catch the adult beetles (June bugs) before their eggs are laid. 



Flo. 260. Moth of one of the stalk borers, Papaipema nitela. 



Moles are also useful in this connection, as they destroy large 

 numbers of grubs. 



Rose Chafers, "Woolly Bear" Caterpillars, and other Leaf- 

 eating Insects. All leaf-eating insects in the flower garden may 

 be controlled with arsenate of lead, one-half pound to five gallons 

 of water, but this insecticide will leave a white stain on the foliage. 

 White hellebore dusted on the leaves when they are moist has not 

 this objectionable feature. 



Lice on Roots of Asters. Aster blight occurs on account of 

 a disease and because of the presence of root lice. Frequent 

 watering with weak tobacco extracts, poured close to the plant, 

 holds lice in check. Use two tablespoonfuls of nicotine sulfate 

 in one gallon of water. Asters call for a fairly rich soil, and it 

 has been the writer's personal observation that where they get 



