266 THE SUGAR BEET. 



digs a hole about five or ten inches in depth, into 

 which some thirty or forty yellow and oval eggs are 

 deposited. The soil preferred seems to be the one 

 corresponding to the greatest agricultural yield. After 

 a short time the female expires. These eggs each 

 give a small white worm, which is the larva of the 

 Melolontha. These worms require three years before 

 their metamorphosis is complete. Their body is white, 

 having a row of spots and composed of twelve rings. 

 The fig. 65 represents the actual size of it. If the 

 young plant be attacked (the point of the root being 



Fig. 65. Fig. 66. 



Larva of the Melolontha. A young root that has been attacked. 



preferred) and has not strength to resist, the leaves 

 droop. (See fig. 66.) The number of months which 

 these spend in eating would probably be for the 

 iTorthern States — 



1st year, 25th June to 1st November . . .4 

 2d " 16th April " 1st November ... 7 

 3d " 16th April " 26th June . ... 3 



Total 14 



