THE GRASS GRUB BEETLE 
33 
NOTES—Hu-hu Beetles have a very keen sense 
of smell, and are most numerous in December and 
January. The grubs when in their plumpest state 
have frequently been used as food by the Maoris, 
who usually toasted them on a string of flax over 
an open fire. They are also good fishing bait. 
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THE GRASS GRUB BEETLE 
DESCRIPTION—Also called the Copper-brown 
Beetle. It has a darker brown margin on its hard 
wing cases. It has no hairs except along the sides 
of its body and an erect fringe just behind the head. 
Its body is broader at hind end than near the head. 
There are several minute depressions and narrow 
smooth lines on the wing cases. There are two 
other broWn beetles of somewhat similar appear¬ 
ance in New Zealand, viz., the Bronze Beetle 
(which is about the same size, but is a day-flier) 
and the Hairy Brown Beetle (which is larger and 
has a body completely hairy). Neither of these has 
the same markings on wing cases as given above. 
FOOD—Tender leaves of plants, especially those 
of broad beans, fruit trees and ornamental shrubs. 
It is one of the worst New Zealand insect pests. 
HABITS—During the day the beetles shelter in 
dense foliage of tree or shrub, or just beneath the 
surface of the ground under these. Hundreds can 
be captured and destroyed (by burning) in a few 
minutes during a sunny day at any place where 
they are known to have been at their destructive 
feeding during the previous night, as they are quite 
inactive until after sunset. Their humming flight 
at dusk is well known to orchardists and gardeners. 
