402 



MAY BEETLE— WHITE GRUB. 



Lachiiostenia fiisca, Fiohl. May Beetle— White grub. 



Order Coleoptera. Fumilij Scaralxmke. 

 Without doubt tlio Wliito Grub, whicli i.s tlie larva of the 

 common May beetle, thouj^h i)robably otlier species of this same 

 and allied genera are mucli like this one in appearance and liab- 

 its, is one of the very worst enemies of tlie grasses, as by eating 

 otf the roots whole meadows, pasture fields, and- lawns are en- 

 tirely ruined. Often the roots of the grass are so entirely con- 

 sumed tliat all may be raked off, leaving tlie entire field as clean 

 as a well tilled summer fallow. 



The figure (14 7) 

 shows tlie insects in 

 the several stages so 

 well that little else is 

 needed. Tlie eggs are 

 laid in the grass fields. 

 The white, u s u a 1 1 y 

 curved and wrinkled 

 grubs with b r o w n 

 heads, feed for three 

 years. The pupa i s 

 Fig. 147. "" found in earthen 



cells, and is not different from other coleopterous pupi\3. 



In May and June the beetles come forth from the earth, and 

 the females lay their eggs eacli to the number of from forty to 

 sixty. It is probable that these eggs are always laid either in 

 grass plats or Avhere other vegetation is rank and plentiful. The 

 beetles are nocturnal, and as is well known are attracted by 

 lights, and so often become very annoying as they enter our 

 rooms and houses. Sonetimes the beetles so r.vvurm in trees as 

 to remind one of a swarm of bees. Indeed they often do no lit- 

 tle miscliief in eating the foliage of oaks and other trees during 

 these summer love feasts. The j?rubs eat for three seasons. 



