2o6 



DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS. 



roots. AfiEected plants present a peculiar wilted appearance, 

 readily distinguished by the practised eye. Th.e grubs feed 

 during three seasons, finally transforming in the soil through 

 the pupal stage (Fig. 275) to the May beetles early in the 

 autumn ; the beetles, however, remain in the soil and do not 

 emerge until the next May or June. Most of the damage is 

 done in strawberry beds by the nearly full-grown grubs. 



The first precaution for the strawberry-grower to observe in 

 trying to escape the ravages of white grubs is to avoid setting 



Fig. 273.— The Grub. Pig. 274.— Beetle. Fig. 275.— Pupa. 



The White Grub and its Parent, the May Beetle. (U. S. Div. of Entomology.) 



his plants on old sod lands. If this must be done, then plough 

 and thoroughly pulverize or cultivate such soil in the fall, 

 thus disturbing and killing many grubs, pup®, and recently- 

 formed beetles. It will also pay to stir the soil frequently be- 

 fore and after setting the strawberries in the spring or summer, 

 as thorough cultivation is a great discourager of white grubs. 



Salt or similar applications to the soil around the plants 

 rarely give relief. Experienced strawberry-growers can 

 usually detect an infested plant, and they often practise the 

 sure and not difficult method of digging out the culprit ; the 

 relieved plant often pays for the trouble later on. 



The Strawberry Root-louse {Aphis forbest) is a very small 

 greenish-black plant-louse which attacks the roots of straw- 

 berries. In Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware, it is said 

 that hundreds of acres of vines have been rendered valueless 

 by these lice. The insect also occurs westward through Ohio, 

 Illinois, and into Wisconsin. It is a comparatively new pest, 



