24 



BULLETIN 891, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



before the second molt occurred were 15 and 32, respectively, while 

 the average number of days between the first and second molts was 26. 

 Thus a larva hatched July 27 will molt the first time in 13 to 15 

 days, or about August 11. The second molt will take place in about 

 20 to 25 days, or approximately the first week in September; from 

 the latter date until late in the following spring, a period of nearly 

 9 months, the larva grows, hibernates, and matures before it finally 

 transforms to pupa. 



PUPATION. 



When about to transform to pupa the larva constructs a cell by 

 cementing particles of soil together. Several days after the cell is 

 constructed the last larval skin is cast, disclosing the pupa. On 

 opening the pupal cell the third or last molt of the larva may be 



e//7A* /=53. /?/?/?. /7&9. /f/7y c/6ffl5 c/6£y /76&. S^/7\OC7r\A^f\ l?£C 



Fig. 5. — Diagrammatic picture showing life history of green June beetle. (Walton del.) 



seen. The time required to change from larva to pupa in the cell 

 varies from 3 to 8 days, according to temperature. The pupal period 

 consumes three weeks or more, also depending on temperature. 



Cocoons from which the adults have escaped are shown in 

 Plate IV, B. 



SUMMARY OF THE LIFE CYCLE. 



The life history (fig. 5) of the green June beetle occupies only one 

 year. Approximately four-fifths of this time is spent in the larval 

 form. The most active growing larval period occurs in the first 2 

 months of its life, although 7 additional months are required in com- 

 pleting full growth. 



In tidewater Virginia the beetles appear about the middle of June, 

 continue through the months of July and August, and disappear by 

 the first week of September. Eggs are deposited from the middle 



