84 



SMALL FEUIT CULTURIST. 



which there are over sixty species already described as 

 inhabiting the United States^ and there are probably 

 others not as yet discovered by our entomologists. There 

 is no locality, from Washington Territory to Florida, in 

 which one or more species of May Beetles do not abound, 

 and the larvse or grubs of all are de^structive to the roots 

 of various plants, and especially those of the Strawberry. 

 These grubs, when fully grown, are from an inch to an 

 inch and a half long, of a whitish color, and with, brown 

 heads. They are commonly known 

 . as White Grubs, without regard to 

 . ^^^^^^ species. The most abundant in the 

 '^^^^^^^V^ Eastern States is LaclinosiKrna fiisca 

 ^^^^^^^^^^ of Frolich, a large brownish beetle, 

 K^^^^,^ figure 25, which usually appears 



Fig. 25.— MAT BEETLE, about tlic first of May, or a little 

 later, hence the common name. 

 There are also several other species, more or less abun- 

 dant, and appearing at the same time, but as all are 

 similar in habits, they may be considered as one. 



These grubs are usually more numerous in old dry 

 pastures and meadows than elsewhere, because their prin- 

 cipal food is the roots of different kinds of grass. The 

 old sods afford protection against the birds and animals 

 which devour them ; consequently they often become 

 very abundant in such places. If these grass lands are 

 plowed and planted with the Strawberry, the grubs will 

 attack the roots, and, if numerous, will destroy every 

 plant almost as soon as it is put in the ground. In some 

 sections of the country the white grub has very materially 

 checked the cultivation of the Strawberry. The only 

 remedy with which I am acquainted is, to occupy the 

 ground with some crop which requires considerable hoe- 

 ing and cultivation, for two or three years before plant- 

 ing with the Strawberry. 



The grub is three or four years in attaining its growth, 



