MAY BEETLE, JUNE BEETLE. Lacknos terna fusca. This is one of the greatest pests oi meadows,and occasionally of pastures. Pastures, however, are not so liable to be severely injured when fully fed down, since the continued tramp ing of stock is not favorable to either the egg or the future growth of the insect. Cereal crops also suffer sometimes to a fearful extent, and once the grubs are found in numbers it is better that the land be plowed and summer fallowed, since the grub requires to live three years in the larval state before transforming to the perfect hettle. We have seen large tracts of meadows, so completely eaten off about au inch under the surface that the sod could be rolled up like a carpet, aud, of course, the field as a meadow was renderer! worthless. A heavy sowing of salt will kill the grub, but to be effective, it must be heavy enough to kill vegetation. Hogs are persistent hunters of these grubs, and if turned into a field infested will soon rid it of these pests, but, of course, also at the expense of the crop. The cut shows the insect in its several stages, as at 1, the pupa; 2, full grown larva; 3, beetle side view; 4, the same, back view. In relation to the
application of nostrums, as salt, ashes, lime, etc , to kill these insects, it must be remembered that the first year of their lives they do comparatively little injury. The second year, unless in great numbers, the damage is not always particularly noticed. The third and last year of their life the farmer resolves to destroy them in earnest, and applies liberally the so-called specifics. The succeeding year they are not found, and he rejoices in the efficacy of the doses, but if he be an observing man, he will find the May Bugs (beetles) flying in great numbers. Here is the time to destroy them by killing them wherever found. Among the most effective means, the beetles being nocturnal, is to place torches, fed with kerosene or petroleum, in the fields. The beetles will fly to the light, and their wings being scorched, they are incapable of further mischief.