REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I907 43 



tionally numerous in lawns that presented every appearance of 

 being in excellent condition. The adult beetle is sometimes very 

 abundant and destructive because of its devouring fruits such as 

 apricots, peaches, figs, prunes, plums, apples and grapes. 



The June beetles have a number of natural enemies. One of the 

 most important is probably the malodorous skunk, a mammal which, 

 when left to itself, destroys countless numbers of the white grubs. 

 Unfortunately, so far as the pest under consideration is concerned, 

 this natural enemy is altogether too scarce. The racoon, the fox, 

 moles and gophers are all credited with feeding upon these grubs. 

 It is well known that the much maligned crow feeds upon the white 

 grub and undoubtedly renders valuable services to the farmer in 

 this way. Domestic fowls frequently follow the plow in search of 

 these pests. 



This insect has a number of parasitic forms wdiich prey upon it. 

 There is a slender, jet-black, wasplike creature known as T i p h i a 

 i n o r n a t a Say which is a particularly effective check. This little 

 insect enters the ground, and following along the burrows of the 

 grub, stings its prey and deposits its egg upon the helpless grub. 

 Another common parasite of the white grub is O phi on 

 bifoveolatum Brulle. Professor Forbes has succeeded in 

 demonstrating the parasitic habits of M a c r o pdi t h a 1 m a d i s - 

 juncta, a small -Tachinid which he has reared from the larva. 

 Sparnopolius fulvus Wied. is also a parasite of this pest, 

 while Pyrgota undata is exceptionally interesting because of 

 its being parasitic upon the adult beetles. 



There are several fungous diseases which are useful in destroying 

 insects,. and Professor Forbes has conducted some experiments with 

 certain of these forms for the purpose of testing their value under 

 American conditions. A number of grubs were destroyed, but 

 further work is necessary before this method can be recommended 

 for use under ordinary field conditions. A most interesting fungus 

 known as Cordyceps ravenelii Berk., affects the white 

 grub, growdng from just behind its head and producing usually two 

 long, greenish processes much resembling young seedlings; later 

 these become brownish. Affected specimens attract notice because 

 of their peculiar appearance. 



Remedial and preventive measure's. White grubs are well known 

 frequenters of grass lands, and it is obvious that considerable injury 

 can be avoided by planting recently turned sod to some crop not 

 likely to be damaged by these pests. Corn, for example, is much 



