The "White Grub of the May Beetle. 15 



until about the middle of June, when it ceases to feed, descends 

 deeper into the earth, and becomes torpid until about the middle 

 of August, when a complete change occurs. It opens lengthwise 

 from the head, back near one-half its length, and forthwith appears 

 in the chrysalis state, in which it remains nearly inactive until 

 about the last of September, when it changes into a perfect state 

 or beetle, and still remains in a nearly torpid state until the 

 following spring, when, about the last of April, it ascends to 

 the surface and immediately commences to reproduce its species. 

 It has thus far baffled the ingenuity of man to prevent its 

 ravages, while fields of tirftothy have, within a few weeks, been 

 entirely destroyed by this grub, and thousands of acres of corn 

 have been totally lost in this county by its ravages. 



According to the above statement, the larval stage proper would 

 be of the duration of two years. 



Distribution. 



This insect is one of very extensive distribution, being found in 

 all parts of the United States, and extending northward into British 

 America, where it occurred in Kir by 's collections in north latitude 

 54° — the latitude of Labrador and Hudson's bay. 



Its Enemies. 



An excellent reason for the amount of injury which this insect 

 imposes upon us is found in the few insect or other enemies that 

 prey upon it, protected as it is by its subterranean life in its first 

 three stages, and its unusually brief final stage. Only one insect 

 parasite is known to attack it. It has, however, several vertebrate 

 enemies which render good service in restraining its unlimited 

 increase ; these will first be noticed : 



The Skunk. — There is abundant testimony of the service ren- 

 dered by skunks in the destruction of the grubs, and to the expert- 

 ness which they manifest in the discovery of their presence, and in 

 making them their prey. It has been thought that one reason 

 among others for the multiplication of the' grub in localities in 

 the Western States and elsewhere is to be found in the wholesale 

 slaughter of the skunk since their skins have obtained commercial 

 value as .a fur. In the Country Gentleman of December 1, 1881 

 (p. 778, col. 2), we have the following observations : "A few years 

 ago, before skunk skins became so valuable as furs, I had a pair of 

 half-tamed skunks which I used to let out every evening to dig for 

 grubs, and it was wonderfully interesting to see their infallible 



