58 



N'EW YORK STATE ML'SEL'M 



to the genus Lachnosterna. Even the recently hatched grubs pre- 

 sent practically the same characteristics as the nearly full-grown 

 individuals so numerous occasionally under sod which has been 

 killed by these pests. The principal difference is that the smaller 

 grubs are whiter, owing to the fact that there is proportionately 

 less dark vegetable matter within the small body. 



Fig. 7 White grnh or larva of May or June beetle, enlarged 



(original) 



Injuries in 1912. Many pastures and meadows as well as cer- 

 tain cultivated crops in Albany, Columbia and Rensselaer coun- 

 ties at least, were very severely damaged the past season by white 

 grubs, and similar injury was reported from portions of \\'ash- 

 ington county. The pests were so prevalent in the southern part 

 of Rensselaer county that most of the grass roots were cut oft* 

 over considerable areas; in some instances grass on half an 

 acres or even lar.o-er fields was totally destroyed, the sod being torn 

 up wherever the horse rake was used. Such conditions were com- 

 mon in the towns of Schodack, Nassau and Kinderhook, to 

 mention only a few localities where personal investigations were 

 possible. Similar injury was reported by William H. \\'an- 

 zer from Slingerlands near Hurstville in Albany county. The 

 grubs not only devoured all the grass roots but frequently at- 

 tacked those of nearby shrubs and trees, while rose bushes in one 

 area were so badly eaten that the plants were readily torn from 

 the ground. Mr B. D. \'an Buren informs us that on his farm 

 at Xiverville the roots of a recently set apple tree were so badly 

 eaten that it was easily pulled up. Corn planted on infested sod 

 land was destroyed, and in one such locality a sample digging in 

 October resulted in finding thirteen living grubs in an area of 



