INSECTS 221 



has the grub ? Look at the front of the head for the strong 

 hooklike jaws. It is with these that it bites off the roots of 

 plants and underground stems of plants. Do the grubs 

 ever kill plants in this way ? How many legs have they ? 

 Where are the legs situated? What is the use of these 

 legs ? Put the insect on the floor or desk. Can it crawl 

 well ? Now put it on the surface of the soil and watch to 

 see how it succeeds in burrowing into the ground. Is 

 there anything on the feet that enables it to dig easily? 

 Have the pupils name all the adaptation this insect has for 

 living in the ground rather than on the surface. 



Does it do any harm besides killing out grass ? Some 

 of the pupils will probably know how destructive these 

 white grubs are in cornfields, strawberry beds, and gardens. 



Lije History. — It may not be possible for the pupils to 

 work out any part of the life history of this insect. It all 

 depends upon how old the grubs are that you are studying. 

 If the study is made early in September it is worth while 

 trying to get the pupae. To do this simply feed the grubs 

 plenty of grass roots by renewing the sod whenever it 

 begins to wither. In a few weeks the grubs will go down 

 into the soil, make little tunnels, and in these change to a 

 pupa. A pupa looks like a light, brown mummy with 

 undeveloped wings and legs folded close to the sides and 

 under part of the body. 



In a few weeks the grown-up insect emerges from the 

 pupa but remains in the ground all winter. 



The spring is by far the best time to study the grown- 

 up insects or beetles. These come out of their winter 

 quarters in great numbers during May. They are com- 

 monly known as June bugs. 



