66 
Care in the selection of 'manure.— K^ manures are frequently infested 
by white grubs, some of which are at times troublesome, it is well to 
exclude such forms as experience has shown to contain an excess of 
these creatures, as, for example, horse manure. The white grubs can 
be identified readily by disintegrating the material, and chickens and 
other fowls can be utilized in destroying them before the manure is 
spread on the helds. 
Attracting to lights.— M^y beetles are strongly attracted to lights, 
and especially to electric-light globes. They can be captured to some 
extent by means of stationary lanterns and pans of water, on which is 
floating a thin scum of kerosene, placed below the lanterns. The 
traps should be stationed at interyals about an infested field, particu- 
lar 1}^ around its borders." 
THE CAimOT BEETLE. 
{Ligyrus gibbosus DeG.) 
This beetle was reported during the year 1890 by Professor Bruner 
as haying been quite destructiye to the sugar beet in the western por- 
tion of Nebraska. They worked for the most 
part on old ground where irrigation was prac- 
ticed, and their operations extended on the roots 
from the surface of the ground to 3 or 4: inches 
below; in some instances 7 inches.^ This insect 
is better known as a carrot pest, and is, in fact, 
one of the worst known enemies of carrot, pars- 
nip, and some related plants. Injury is due to 
both larya3 and beetles. Young corn is often cut 
just aboye the roots, and the root crops men- 
tioned are punctured with little holes, rendering- ''TduU-eS™a ~; 
them unfit for market. Tubers of potato and nai, Division of Ento- 
sweet potato are also subject to attack, as are the ™° °^ 
roots of celery. Other plants aff'ected include the roots and tubers of 
sunflower and dahlias as Avell as cotton. 
The beetle closely resembles the May beetle, but it will be noticed 
b}^ reference to figure 60 that the surface of the wing-coyers is strongly 
sculptured and coarsely punctate. The beetle measures about a half 
to fiye-eighths of an inch in length, with considerably shorter legs 
than in the true May beetles. The dorsal surface is similarly colored, 
f< Note.— It is often desirable to protect choice trees- against the ravages of the bee- 
tles. For this jjurpose nothing is better than mosquito netting. Beetles may be 
beaten from the trees, into inverted umbrellas or similar receptacles, and can be 
readily captured and killed, as they make little effort to escape after being dislodged. 
Spraying with arsenicals is of no practical use, as the beetles continue ieeding until 
the poison takes effect, and the next day the dead are replaced by other individuals. 
^For particulars see Bui. 23, o. s., Div. Ent., p. 17. 
10697— No. 43—03 5 
