of the family fall into two distinct groups. One group comprises 
the so-called dung beetles, the larvae and adults of which are 
saprophytic, feeding on such materials as dung, carrion, decom- 
posing plants. The second group consists of species whose larvae 
feed on the roots or juices of living plants, decaying vegetable 
matter, rotten wood, leaf mold, and sometimes manure. The 
adults feed chiefly on the foliage of plants. They are commonly 
referred to as lamellicorn leaf chafers. Many of the plant-feeding 
species are important pests of nursery, plantation, woodlot, shade, 
and forest trees. The adults of most of these are nocturnal and 
are strongly attracted to lights. 
Scarab beetles have stout bodies, the last 3 to 6 or 7 segments 
of the antennae are leaflike and capable of being opened or closed. 
Their front legs are fitted for digging. The larvae or grubs are 
usually thick, white or yellow, enlarged posteriorally, bent in the 
shape of a crescent, and they have well-developed legs. 
The genus Phyllophaga Harris is represented in the United 
States and Canada by more than 100 species, the majority of 
which occur in the eastern part of the continent (462). The 
adults, commonly called May or June beetles, are robust, oval, 
light straw to very dark brown, and from about 12 to 25 mm. 
long (fig. 48 A). The wing covers are smooth and shiny or are 
covered with short hairs. The antennae are lamellate and end in 
3-jointed clubs; the tarsal claws are armed with a small tooth 
near the middle. The larvae, commonly called white grubs, are 
milky white, strongly curved, and about 25 mm. long at maturity 
(fig. 48 B). The head is brownish; all of the hind parts are shiny; 
and body contents are visible through the skin. 
The adults of certain species are most abundant in the spring, 
usually in May; others reach peaks of abundance in June or July 
(616). They tend to stay out of sight under stones, leaves, or 
trash, or in the soil during the day; and to fly, mate, and feed at 
night. Eggs are laid in masses in the soil at depths of 3 to 7 
inches, each egg being placed in a cavity in the center of a ball of 
dirt. Newly-hatched larvae feed on organic matter; then they 
move to tender roots of seedlings and other plants to feed. The 
winter is spent in the larval stage at depths determined by tem- 
peratures and frost levels. Pupation takes place in the soil at 
depths of a few inches to a foot or more. In the South, the life 
cycle is completed in 1, 2, or 3 years; in the Central States 2 to 3 
years are required; farther North, from 3 to 4 years are needed 
(684). 
Phyllophaga larvae, or white grubs, have caused heavy losses 
in forest nurseries and plantations in the South, East, and Central 
and Lake States during the past several years. Also, here and 
there throughout the region, many trees are lightly to heavily 
defoliated by the adult beetles every year, especially in woodlots 
and around the edges of forest stands. A few of the more common 
and important species are discussed briefly below: 
Phyllophaga drakei (Kirby) occurs throughout most of eastern 
United States and southern Canada. Adults are dark brown, 
shiny, and about 25 mm. long. They feed on the leaves of beech, 
birch, dogwood, maple, basswood, elm, and willow. The larvae are 
important pests in forest nurseries and plantations in the Lake 
States and Canada. 
146 
