QUEENSLAND.

BUREAU OF SUGAR EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
ie 2 BULLETINS Now (257 4:

The Cane Grubs of

Australia

BY

Ae A GIRAULT and Aye DODD:

1915.

Brisbane:

By Authority: Anthony James Cumming, Government Printer.

Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations,
Brisbane, 20th November, 1914.

The Under Secretary,

Department of Agriculture and Stock,
Brisbane.

Sir,—lI have the honour to submit for publication Bulletin No. 2 of
the Division of Entomology of the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations
e1:titled ‘‘ The Cane Grubs of Australia,’’ by Messrs. A. A. Girault and
A. P. Dodd.

I have, &c.,

HARRY T. HASTERBY,

General Superintendent.

“Ghe Cane Grubs of Australia.

By A. A. GIRAULT and A. P. DODD.

The following are preliminary results of the investigations on
Scarabeid larve injuring sugar-cane commenced by the Queensland
Government late in 1911 :—

Part I,—Descriptive Matter.

THE descriptions of the larvee have been made with a half-inch Cod-
dington lens. In all descriptions, larvee in normal position, but the head
with the face directed dorsad.

The descriptions of the larval stages of Anoplognathus boisduvali
Boisd., Lepidiota albohirta Waterh., and Cacachroa decorticata Macl.,
have been offered for publication elsewhere in contributions from the
Entomological Laboratory of this Bureau.

In the key to the species we have endeavoured to arrange them in
their relations to each other, eliminating at once the distinct larvee, but
until the adults are known it cannot be ascertained how far we have
succeeded. The numbers given are purely arbitrary (but are real
accession numbers), serving to designate the unknown species. With
regard to the unknown species, No. 364 is one of the dung-feeding series,
No. 576 is possibly Horonotus optatus Sharpe, while the small related
species (e.g., Nos. 650, 653, 587, &e¢.) are probably Haplonycha,
Liparetrus, and other small Scarabeids. No. 89, which we have called a
species of Lepidiota, is very possibly no such thing, and is perhaps more
closely related to Anoplognathus, Calloodes, Repsimus (&e.), than to
Lepidiota.

All Searabeeid larve living in the soil met with by us have been
included. The table of species should aid greatly in identifying the
various grubs to be met with in the soils of the extreme northern cane
regions of Queensland. It is of importance in providing a starting-point
for future investigations, but can be improved as the latter proceed.
Mr. A. M. Lea has identified the adults.

DIAGNOSTIC ARRANGEMENT OF THE LARVAL.

{1) Body short and stout, the thorax narrowed, the abdomen dorzad rising and forming
a large hump.
Head not narrowed ; size medium Fé ae ar Ss .. = No. 364.

Body rarely short and stout, the thorax not narrowed, the whole body dorsad convex,
not forming a hump .. ba O a 26 ore be so) =P)

(2) Body widest at the thorax ; middle pair of legs somewhat longer than either first
or third ; thoracic peritreme open along cephalic margin ; mandibles straight,
the penicellus absent; lacinia and galea distinctly separated ; spiracles with
an open transverse slit.

4 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

Size medium large; peritremes flattened, very open, decreasing in size caudad,
very small on last three abdominal segments ; epicranium large, smooth,
polished, with a very few scattered pin-punctures ; left mandible with five
acute teeth, the right with four; lobes of thoracic and abdominal segments
not well defined ; anal orifice consisting of a longitudinal cleft, on either side
with a raised oval lobe; apex ventrad with an oblique area on either side,
of dense setae; antenneze 4-jointed, the second and third joints long, the
fourth very small; latero-cervical shield consisting of an elongate, transverse
area far above the thoracic peritreme Sc 36 a 56) = INOS BEE

Body widest at base of apical abdominal segment ; caudal legs longer than eithet
first or second; thoracic peritreme open along caudal margin; mandibles
curved, the penicellus present; lacinia and galea not distinctly separated ;
spiracles closed me ee ahs ne Lis fe aan so =k

(3) Body short and stout, the head much narrower, not conspicuous, partly retracted ;
legs small ; antenna 4-jointed es os Sos a as = (i).

Body not short and stout, the head not much narrower, conspicuous, not retracted ;
legs not small a6 an % ae es — a ee = (5):

(4) Venter of abdomen at apex with a naked elliptical central space, without special
delimiting setz ; size medium .. 5.0 56 -- = Cacachroa decorticata.

Venter of abdomen at apex with a narrow elliptical path, open caudad, and bounded
on either side by a row of about fourteen short, stout, black sete; size
medium-small 5% 66 56 30 ie .. = Cetonid sp. No. 46.

(5) Antenne apparently only 3-jointed; apex of antennae with numerous long
seattered seta.

Size small ; apical abdominal segment ventrad without scattered sete, but with a
long, oblique row of very clo:e, short, stout sete running almost entire length
of segment and approaching each other caudad ; anal orifice straight ; epi-
cranium practically smooth ; left mandible with two small acute inner teeth,
the right with one, no small tooth near the retinaculum ; seccnd and third
antennal joints long, the appendix long, half as Jong as joint 3 but not pro-
jecting beyond apex of the joint 26 re 36 -. =No. 539.

Anteanez plainly 4-jointed ; apex of antennae without distinct sete ac = (6).

(6) Anal orifice forming a transverse cleft, somewhat distant from the apex and on the
dorsum of the abdomen, the abdomen squarely truncate at apex.

Size small; head smooth; apex of abdomen ventrad smooth, with a tran=ver=e
line of short fine sete; anal orifice straight; second antennal joint as long
as other three united ; epicranial sclerite with about two sets on either side
of meson in centre, the sclerite otherwise naked .. Sie a — NO-o0mn

Anal orifice not impressed, situated at extreme caudad, the apex pointed = (7).

(7) Anal orifice forming a straight, or nearly straight, transverse slit, without a channe.
joining it at meson from venter ; head sometimes punctate or wrinkled ; size
medium to very large, never small; apex of abdomen ventrad with or without a
definite formation of sete Bis Ae a Fe) Se 2% = (Cc

Anal orifice triangular, the apex caudad, with a median channel joining its apex from
venter ; head always smooth, or practically so; apex of abdomen always with
a definite formation of sete ; size medium small to very small, never large = (18).

(8) Head punctate ; apex of abdomen ventrad without a definite naked path bounded
by a definite row of setw; small tooth near (distad of) retinaculum always
present ; second lobe of abdominal segments two to six smallest, longest at the
meson ; prothorax not divided into distinct lobes dorsad .. Ss = (8),

Head never punctate, rarely transversely wrinkled, usually smooth ; apex of abdomer
ventrad often with a naked path bounded by a definite row or rows of set ;
small tooth near (distad of) retinaculum often ab-ent; prothorax dorsad
divided into two or more distinct lobes ; second lobe of abdominal segments 2 to
6 shortest, longest at the meson a AO oH Bee Ai = (12).

(9) Second lobe of anal segment dorsad with most of its surface somewhat raised anT
bounded by an oval suture ; epicranial sclerite with a row of set near its cephalic
margin and sete scattered over its surface; second antennal joint with two-
sete.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 5

Size rather large ; antennal joints not slender, the second longe=t, not twice as
long as wide; peritremes distinctly open; latero-cervical shield somewhat
wider than greatest length (cephalo-caudad), its cephalic margin strongly
convex, the two caudal sides of about equal length, with about five seta along

its dorzo-caudal margin ; pubescence rather sparse : CS GE
Second lobe cf anal segment dorzad, plain ; epicranial sclerite ols without sete ;
antennae wholly naked a ae Bic oY = ae on = aay

(10) Peritremes not distinctly open; legs not distinctly increasing in size caudad .
whole body with very dense pubescence ; latero-cervical shield with at least

several seta along its margin; size very large; colour slaty blue; pubescence
brownish red So bc ae ne ae = Nylotrupes australicus.

Peritremes distinctly open; legs distinctly increasing in size caudad; body with
much sparser pubescence, quite sparse on thorax dorsad ; latero-cervical shield
with only one or two set along its margin; size medium to medium large = (11).

{11) Epieranial sclerite well separated from the clypeus ; latero-cervical shield with
two sete, one cephalad, one caudad ; second antennal joint not twice as long as
greatest width; body move or less bluish throughout; thorax dorsad with
more sete ; size medium Ly sa we ie Sirs we = Nos Giese

Epicranial <clerite not well separated from the clypeus; latero-cervical shield with
only one seta, on its caudal margin ; second antennal joint over twice as long as
greatest width ; thorax not showing bluish, also the cephalic abdominal segments;
thorax dorsad with less sete ; size medium large = Dasyynathus australis.

(12) Apex of abdomen ventrad with a naked path bounded by definite setz; head
never strongly wrinkled; small tooth near (distad of) retinaculum alway:
absent ; latero-cervical shield reaching much below thoracic peritreme (except
in No. 89) si ans a oe ae a an Sn == (ils).

Apex of abdomen ventrad without a naked path bounded by definite sete ; head
rarely stronely wrinkled; small tooth near (distad of) retinaculum sometimes
present ; latero-cervical shield never reaching below thoracic peritreme = (15).

{13) First antennal joint without cetw, the third with two sete; cephalic margin of
epicranial sclerite without a row. of sete; first joint of maxillary palpus. with
three set; latero-cervieal shield not reaching ventrad farther than a line
drawn cephalo-caudad through centre of thoracic peritreme, its cephalic margin
without setse, the angle formed by the two caudal sides, acute ; prothorax dorsad
with three lobes ; body uniformly opaque creamy yellow.

Size medium; thorax dorsad with seattered sete; head almost smooth, as in
albohirta; peritremes much open; anal path not well defined, short, with a
straight row of about 14 delimiting sete on either side, the sete fine and short

= Lepidiota sp. No. 89.

First antennal! joint with from four to seven setw, the third without sete ; cephalic
margin of epicranial sclerite with a row of long sete; first joint of maxillary
palpus without sete; latero-cervical shield reaching ventrad much below
thoracie peritreme, its cephalic margin with set, the angle formed by the two
caudal sides, obtuse ; prothorax dorsad with two lobes ; e at least apical abdominal
segment bluish de be Sc 1a HC a6 ae .. = (14).

(14) Size medium; epicranial sclerite very finely rugulose or coriaceous ; peritremes
much open; anal path short, with a convex delimiting row of about twelve sete
on either side, the setz rather Jong, meeting across meson of path; margins of
mandibles not uniformly converging toward apex = Lepidiota sp. No. 377.

The same but anal path with twenty setz on either side, these denser, shorter, not
meeting across meson of path sg <6 Sic = Lepidiotasp. No. 215.

Size very large; epicranial sclerite finely den-ely rugo-e or coriaceous ; peritremes
almost closed ; anal path rather short, with a straight delimiting row of about
fourteen set on either side, these meeting across meson of path; margins of

mandibles not uniformly converging toward apex = Lepidiota sp. No. 45.

Size large ; epicranial sclerite finely alutaceous, the lines feebly impressed and appear-
ing as faint cracks ; peritremes almost closed ; anal path long, with a straight
delimiting row of about from 24-26 fine, short, well-defined sete on either side ;
margins of mandibles un iformly converging toward apex = Lepidiota albohirta.

6 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

Size medium Jarge ; epicranial sclerite as in albohirta; peritremes distinctly open ;
mandibles as in albohirta; anal path rather long, with curved margins, the
delimiting setzwell defined, rather long and stout, in about four rows ..

= Lepidiota frenchi, No. 533.

Very similar to frencht but peritremes almost closed ; mandibles as in No. 377;
anal path shorter and with less seta, these longer = Lepidiota sp. No. 666.

(15) Cervix and seementai incisions armed with fine black seta or teeth ; apical antennal
joint barely as long as penultimate ; antennae wholly naked.

Head not wrinkled ; pubescence of body moderately dense; mandibles with a
small tooth near (distad of) retinaculum ; size medium large a0. 23
= = Anoplognathus boisduvali.

Cervix and segmental incisions unarmed ; apical antennal joint longer than penulti-

mate, the second joint with three sete in centre dorsad .. a = (16).

(16) Head strongly, more or less transversely, wrinkled ; pubescence moderately dense :
epicranium distinctly convex.

Mandibles without a tooth near (distad of) the retinaculum ; size medium ‘
NOx 576.

Head smooth or practically so; pubescence very dense ; epicranium not distinctly
convex we <i ais a AG a ae ore So = (TS

(17) Size medium large ; mandibles without a tooth near (distad of) the retinacuium ;
head larger .. O.0 Fa 50 ee = Calloodes greyanus, No. 655.

Size medium; mandibles with a tooth near (distad of) the retinaculum; head
emaller as oc na aus a = Repsimus eneus, No. 434.

(18) Apex of abdomen ventrad with a flat, curved, transverse bow of sete, with a naked
path caudad of it.

Size small; sete in how about twenty, close, short, rather fine; antenne naked
except for a single seta on second joint ; epicranial sclerite with a single seta
on either side of. meson in centre, otherwise naked .. a5 = No. 609-

Apex of abdomen ventrad with a V-shaped row of setw, the apex cephalad.

Size moderately small ; sete in V very fine, not dense ; epicranium wholly naked ;
second antennal joint with one seta dor-ad, and one ventrad, the antenne
otherwise naked .. 45 oo Sc 46 a6 2% = No. 653.

Apex of abdomen ventrad with a Y-shaped row of short seta, the shaft double, thus

; epicranial sclerite without sete ; second antennal joint with one seta at
base ventrad, antennz otherwise naked.

Shafts of the Y parallel; sete in Y scattered, about fifteen on either side, the
shafts and branches longer ; size small ac a6 36 = No. 646.

Shafts of the Y diverging caudad, the sete rather dense, about twenty on either
side, the shafts and branches shorter ; size moderately small = No. 667.

Apex of abdomen ventrad with a curved U of rather denze sete, this open caudad.

Cepbalic margin of epicranial sclerite with only one seta on either side of meson,
the row behind this consisting of two seta on either side of meson ; body not
so slender; size rather small.

Anal row of set in a broad horseshoe; no longer or as long as its greatest
width ; setz very distinct and closely set together, the lateral sides of the
horseshoe slightly converging caudad Re as ee = No. 650.

Cephalic margin of epicranial <clerite with a row of setw, behind this with a row of
cattered sete ; body more slender ; size rather larger.

Anal row of sete in a broad horseshoe, wider than long, the lateral sides con-

verging and nearly touching caudad, the sete longer and denser = No. 671,

Anal row of seta not so rounded cephalad, its lateral margins not converging
caudad, distinctly longer than its greatest width, the seta shorter and less
dense = Ae ~ i ., ri = INomocte

The Cane Grubs of Australia. Tt

Descriptions of Larve.
Based on the full description of Stage III of Lepidiota albohirta. Waterhouse.

XYLOTRUPES AUSTRALICUS Thomson.

Stage I1I.—Greatest length at stretch, 83 mm.; width at base of
anal segment, 20 mm.; length in normal curved position, 41 mm.; thiek-
ness, 20 mm.; width of head, 12 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 10-5 mm.

Colour creamy white, the last abdominal segment slaty or blue-grey,
the whole body more or less bluish (this due to the contents of the intes-
tines showing through) ; head dark reddish brown, also the peritremes,
the stigmata somewhat paler, black in extreme centre; legs and latero-
cervical shield golden brown; antenne concolorous with the head,
mandibles black; maxille (except cardo) golden brown; maxillary and
labial palpi concolorous with the head.

Form curved, the body cylindrical, pointed obtusely, candad; dorsal
surface convex, the ventral flattened, margined by a longitudinal fold and
a series of segmental convexities; body transversely wrinkled or folded.
Legs prominent. Epicranium punctate, the punctures scattered, small,
largest toward the clypeus, becoming very small and indistinct far laterad
and caudad ; without pubescence except for scattered sete along its lateral
and caudal margins. Clypeus punctate, the punctures largest caudad
but much smaller than the adjacent epicranial punctures; with a pair of
setz on either side nearer its cephalic than caudal margin and a single
seta on either side of meson, cephalic margin; clypeus nearly two and
a-half times as wide as long. Labrum wrinkled or finely rugose and
with indistinet scattered punctures; cephalic margin with eyelash-like
sete, the eaudo-lateral corner with a rather scattered clump of bristles.
Antenne 4-jointed (not counting the short, conical bulla) ; almost as long
as the mandibles; filiform, the first three joints widening toward apex;
the second the longest, a little longer than first or third which are sub-
equal; appendix short, tubercular; fourth joint conical at apex, and
slightly shorter than third, with the usual pustule-like spot; second jomt
not thrice as long as its greatest width; antennze wholly naked. Mandibles
distinctly longer than width at base (excluding retinaculum) ; the apex
bidentate, the outer tooth broad, obliquely truncate, its outer angle
acute, the inner tooth smaller and rounded but more developed than
usual; a dorso-median ridge runs from centre of inner tooth to base of
mandible, outside which is a groove running for three-fourths its length
from base, the groove with a single seta in centre apically and bounded
distad by a second ridge; below this ridge a rather broad sulcus with
about twelve scattered setigerous punctures; a single long bristle at base
of inner apical tooth, a small third tooth is present between the apical
teeth and the retinaculum but closer to the former, this broad on left
mandible, much smaller on right; surface shining, smooth, the teeth
alutaceous. Retinaculum from dorsal aspect, left mandible 4-dentate,
the proximal tooth thorn-like and erect, the others obtuse, the distal one
massive, the penicellus in a short semicircle at proximal margin of retina-
culum, nearly erect; right mandible, the retinaculum with two obtuse
teeth, the proximal one massive, the penicellus arising from the proximal
face of the proximal tooth; from ventral aspect, retinaculum appearing
as one large tooth on left mandible, about three on right. Cardo of
maxilla not much wider than long; the stipes compressed laterally, with a
distinet ridge dorsad, this ridge armed with a row of minute teeth;

8 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

lacinia and galea apparently one stout piece with a longitudinal fold,
with three stout black teeth at apex of lacinia, and one at apex of galea,
this last the largest; this piece with setw of varying size; the stipes with
sete around base of bulla and a few ventrad; galea attaining distal palpal
point, the lacinia somewhat shorter. Maxillary palpus 4-jointed, the first
joint (palpigerous stipes) short; second and third subequal, somewhat
longer than wide, the fourth pointed-conical at apex, and fully two and
a-half times as long as wide, the third ventrad with a single seta on each
side distad. Mentum fleshy, a little wider than long, laterad and
cephalad with long sete, these much shorter caudad, very short medially
Labial palpus 2-jointed, the first joint a little wider than second, some-
a wider than long, second over one-half longer than wide, the palpus
naked.

Stigmata circular, apparently closed; the peritremes circular, the
thoracic pair larger than the abdominal ones, the thoracic pair irregularly
circular, almost flat along caudal margin; abdominal peritremes closed
except for a narrow slit in the centre of the rather flattened cephalic
margin, this slit in centre of caudal margin of thoracic pair; a small oval
spot in folds of last two thoracic segments. Thorax subquadrate, some-
what wider than the head, prothorax dorsad without a transverse
incision, the meso- and metathorax each with two deep incisions and thus
with three dorsal lobes. Latero-cervical shield not much wider than
greatest length (cephalo-caudad), its cephalic margin almost regularly
gently, convex, its caudal margin forming the two sides of an obtuse
angle, the side nearest venter much shorter than the other; without
clothing except for long sete along the longer caudal margin and ventral
third of cephalic margin. Cervix unarmed. Legs guarded cephalad
and laterad by chitinised plates, these relatively smaller than in Lepidiota
albohirta; legs only slightly increasing in size caudad, the hind femur
not greatly larger than the cephalic one; tarsus of two posterior pair of
legs as long as its femur, in the cephalic pair longer; spine on second
tarsal joint shorter and stouter than in albohirta, its apex curved, other-
wise the legs agree with those of albohirta. Abdomen cylindrical, some-
what over thrice length of thorax, the last segment over twice the length
of the others; incisions of segments as in albohirta, but the second lobe is
smallest, longest at the meson. Clothing of reddish or ginger brown,
epicranial sclerite without pubescence; on body, pubescence long and
dense laterad and especially so on the segmental convexities. Dorsal
aspect; Prothorax with rather dense, long pubescence, not arranged in
regular rows; first lobe of mesothorax the same mesad, the second the
same laterad, but without clothing mesad, the third with one irregular
row continued its entire width; metathorax with clothing similar to meso-
thorax; first lobe of first abdominal segment with dense, long pubescence,
the second with one row mesad, dense laterad, also with a few very
short stout hairs; lobes of remaining segments similar to second lobe ct
first segment, except that there are more rows than one mesad, and the
stout sete predominate on apical segments mesad so that on apical
segments the pubescence is less dense and only scattered long sete are
present, extreme apex of abdomen with dense long sete. Ventral aspect,
segments of thorax and abdominal segments 1-8 with transverse (cephalo-
caudad) areas of long sete, also first lobe of last segment, these much
denser cephalad, rather sparse caudad; second lobe of anal segment with
scattered set, the apex with rather dense, short, stout set followed at
extreme apex by dense, long sete, no definite marked formation of set
present.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 9

Stage IJ.—Greatest length, 47 mm.: width, 16 mm.; length in natural
eurved position, 26 mm.; thickness. 15 mm.; width of head, 7 mm.; length
te apex of labrum, 6-5 mm.

Differing markedly from Stage III. in that the pubescence is not
nearly so distinct, being shorter and less dense on the body and of a
lighter colour; the peritremes are distinctly open, the slit thus being
wider; the head is comparatively much narrower and not so dark in
colour; second antennal joint not twice as long as greatest width; dorsal
eroove of mandible without a seta and no seta at base of second apical
tooth. Freshly molted specimens have the pubescence longer. and the
body colour more bluish. The stage bears a very decided superficial
resemblance to Stage III. of Dasygnathus australis.

Stage I.—Greatest length, 23 mm.; width, 6-5 mm.; leneth in natural
curved position, 13 mm.; thickness, 6 mm.; width of head, 4-25 mm.;
length to apex of labrum, 3-75 mm. Pubescence sparser than in Stage
If.; coloured portions of body still lighter.

DASYGNATHUS AUSTRALIS Boisd.

Stage I11,—Creamy or yellowish, opaque, the last abdominal segment
blue; head and peritremes reddish brown, also the antenne (the joints
ringed with white at apex and with the usual white spots on apical
jeint) ; mandibles black, except at base; latero-cervical shield golden
yellow, the legs and palpi paler yellow. Greatest length when extended,
88 mim.; width at base of anal segment. 11 mm.; length in normal curved
position, 18 mm.; thickness, 10 mm.; width cf head, 7 mm.; length to
apex of labrum 6-75 mm.

Epicranium punctate as in Xylotrupes, the punctures rather finer
and denser, its lateral and caudal margins with only a very few scattered
sete. Clypeus apparently with only one seta on each lateral margin.
Labrum with a single hair on either side in centre and one in each caudo-
lateral and cephalo-lateral angles, the cephalic margin with the usual eye-
lash-like sete. Antenne much as in Yylotrupes but the second joint is
one-half longer than either first or third, the last joint as long or slightly
longer than third. Mandibles shghtly longer than width at base (includ-
ing retinaculum), very similar to those of Yylotrupes but the third
teoth (near retinaculum) not so obtuse, not indicated on right mandible.
Retinaculum on left mandible tridentate dorsad, the proximal thorn-like
tooth not present, the distal tooth massive, all three obtuse; instead of the
fourth (proximal) tooth there is a fleshy conical projection with a clump
of short, stout sete at its apex; penicellus semicircular and arising at
proximal base of this projection. Retinaculum on right mandible dorsad
about tridentate, the proximad tooth massive, all obtuse; penicellus in a
clump proximad on proximal tooth, the conical projection absent. Apical
jeint of maxillary palpus barely twice as long as wide. Stout, black
teeth at apex of lacinia and galea not so distinct, only three present, the
inner two small. Thoracic peritreme distinctly open in centre of flat
caudal margin, the abdominal ones in centre of cephalic margins. Latero-
cervical shield one-half wider than greatest length (ecephalo-caudad), its
cephalic margin nearly straight, the two caudal sides of almost equal
length, wholly without clothing, except for one long seta at dorso-caudal
angle on caudal margin. Legs distinctly increasing in size caudad, the
hind femur over one-half longer than cephalic femur; similar to Yylo-
‘trupes. Incisions of body segments as in Vylotrupes. Clothing of body

10 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

eolden vellow; pubescence densest laterad and on segmental convexities,
but nowhere dense; dorsal aspect, prothorax with three set on either
side of meson and with a clump of sete, not very dense, below cervical
shield; first lobe of mesothorax with two long set on either side of meson,
the second with two on either side farther laterad and a few below
cervical shield, the third without sets; metathoracie lobes with similar
clothing to those of mesothorax; all sete on thorax long; first lobe of first
abdominal segment with four long and four very short, stout setzw, second
lobe with an irregular row of long and short sete; lobes of segments
2-6 with rather dense, short, stout setw, and a few scattered long sete ;
7 and 8 without pubescence except for one row of very scattered long
sete along caudal margin; first lobe of anal segment similar, the second
with lone set scattered over its surface and at apex with rather dense
long and short sete. Venter of body; segments of thorax with two or
three transverse rows of long sete in centre; abdominal segments 1-5
with one row of scattered long sete 6 and 7 with one seta on either side
of meson and two laterad; 8 the same but with two sete on either side
of meson; first lobe of anal segment with about ten long sete in a row,
the second lobe (except at base) with rather short, stout sete, followed
ai extreme apex by longer sete. In other respects similar to Xylotrupes.

Stage I1.—Greatest length, 24 mm.; width in normal curved posi-
tion, 12 mm.; thickness, 6-5 mm.; width of head, 5-10 mm.; length to:
apex of labrum, 4-8 mm.

Second lobe of mesothorax with only one seta on either side of meson ;
first lobe of metathorax similar, the second with only one farther laterad ;
first lobe of first abdominal segment with only one seta on either side of
meson, the second with a row of scattered long sete, consisting of about
four on either side; 2-6 with sete similar to but not so dense as in Stage
IIl.; 7 and 8 with one row at caudal margin of six long sete, also first
lobe of anal segment, the apex of second lobe with only scattered jong
end short sete; venter of abdominal segments with only one or two
long sete, the sete at extreme apex not so dense as in III.; peritremes
more open; otherwise similar to Stage ITI.

No. 678.

Stage III.—Greatest length when extended, 34 mm.; width at
base of anal segment, 9 mm.; length in natural curved position, 17 mm. ;
thickness, 8 mm.; width of head, 4.75 mm.; length to apex of labrum,
4-50 mm.

Very similar to Stage III. of Dasygnathus australis, but the body
siender and more bluish, the head distinetly smaller; epicranial sclerite
well separated from the elypeus and with a series of small notches along
the cephalic margin, about five; second antennal joint not twice as
long as greatest width (distinctly more so in Dasygnathus) ; the last
jcint distinctly though not much longer than preceding; prothorax dorsad
with four sete on either side of meson; first lobe of mesothorax with
three sete on either side, the second with siz on either side farther
laterad, the third with one on either side at meson; metathorax similar
to mesothorax, but third lobe with about three sete on either side; first
lobe of first abdominal segment with four long and two short sete;
segments 6-8 ventrad with one row of lone scattered sete; latero-cervical
shield with an additional seta in centre of cephalic margin, otherwise
about similar.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 11

Stage IT.— Greatest length, 19 mm.; cues 5 mm.; length in normal
curved position, 9-5 mm.; thickness, 4:5 mm.: width of head, 3 mm.;
length to apex of labrum, "9. 80 mm.

Stage [—Greatest length, 10 mm.; width, 3 mm.; length in normal
curved position, 5 mm. . thickness. 2-75 mm.; width of head, 1.5 mm.;
length to apex of labrum, 1-40 mm.

No: 71:

Stage I1I.—Greatest length when extended, 44 mm.; width at
base of anal segment, 14 mm.; length in natural curved aati 24 mm.;
thickness, 11 mm.; width of head, 5 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 5 mm.

Similar in many respects to Dasygnathus. Second lobe of anal
segment dorsad with most of its surface raised and bounded by an oval
suture. Head with smali seattered punctures; epicranial sclerite with
a row of set near its cephalic margin and with long sete scattered
over its surface, also the epicranium; clypeus with two sete on either
side of meson and two far laterad. Antennal joints not slender, the second
longest, not twice as long as wide, a little longer than the third, the
first distinctly shorter ; second joint with two sete dorsad, the rest naked.
Mandibles without the second apical tooth, the small tooth just laterad of
the retinaculum present, barely indicated in right mandible. Peritremes
distincly open. lLatero-cervical shield somewhat wider than greatest
length (cephalo-caudad), its cephalic margin strongly convex, the two
eaudal sides of about equal length and with about five sete along its
dorso-caudal margin. Pubesecence rather sparse but denser than in
Dasygnathus, the apex of abdomen ventrad with close stout sete.

No. 349.

Stage III.—Greatest length when extended, 35 mm.; width at
thorax, 8-5 mm.; length in natural curved position, 14 mm.; thickness,
7-5 mm.; width of head, 6-10 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 6 mm.

Body widest at the thorax, slightly tapering toward apex of abdo-
men. Middle pair of legs somewhat longer than either first or third.
Peritremes flattened, very open, both thoracic and abdominal ones open
along cephalic margin, the abdominal. ones greatly decreasing in size
caudad, very small on segments 6-8. Epicranium practically smooth,
Cae with a very few ‘scattered pin-punctures and a very few seat-
tered sete ; cephalic margin of epicranial sclerite with one seta on either
side of meson, also a small oval fovea against either lateral margin in
centre (caudo- cooualae ; elypeus with a few scattered sete; labrum as
usual. Outer side of mandible quite straight, not at all curved; left
mandible with five acute teeth, the proximal ones smallest, the retina-
culum consisting of ene outer tooth and one long obtuse proximal one,
the penicellus absent; right mandible with four teeth, less acute, the
retinaculum 4-dentate, the basal tooth obtuse, the outer three acute.
Lacinia and galea distinctly separated, each with a stout curved spine
at apex, the galea a little longer than lacinia. Maxillary and labial palpi
about as usual, the third joint of former with one seta at base and one
at apex dorsad. Lobes of thoracie and abdominal segments, especially
the latter, not well defined. Thorax, apical abdominal segments and all
body ventrad with scattered setx ; abdominal segments 1-6, dorsad, with
very dense minute teeth or sete. Anal orifice consisting of a deep:

12 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

longitudinal cleft, on either side with a raised oval lobe. Apex of abdomen
ventrad with an oblique well-defined area on either side, of very dense
shortish sete. Antenne 4-jointed, first joint rather short; second long
and slender and with about six sete dorsad; third as long as second, or
nearly so, with about three sete near its base dorsad; fourth minute,
situated in centre at apex of preceding joint. Latero-cervieal shield
consisting of a very narrow, elongate (dorso-laterad)- area, far above
(dorsad of) thoracic peritreme. Spiracles with an open, transverse
(dorso-laterad) sht. Colour slaty blue, due to contents of food canals
showing through; first four or five dorsal convexities of segments folds,
white; peritremes rust red; head golden yellow, the elypeus and labrum
darker; the mandibles red, black at apex; antenne red brown; legs
eclden yellow.

CALLOODES GREYANUS White. No. 655.
Stage [i1.—Greatest length, 42 mm.; width at base of anal segment,
12 mm.; length in natural curved position, 21 mm.; thickness, 10 mm.;
width of head, 6 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 5-5 mm.

Very similar to Anoplognathus boisduvali but mandibles shorter,
‘distinctly shorter than length of epicranium (in Anoplognathus, as long
er longer than epicranium) ; antennwe somewhat shorter, when viewed
from above, the apical joint longer than preceding (barely as long in
Anoplognathus), the second joint with three setz in centre dorsad, close
together (antennze wholly naked in Anoplognathus) ; mandible with the
second apical tooth well defined, the tooth just laterad of retinaculum
not at all indicated; cervix unarmed, also the segmental convexities;
pubescence much denser, very dense, of a rich reddish hue.

Stage I11.—Greatest length, 28 mm.; width at base of anal segment,
8 mm.; length in normal curved position, 14 mm.; thickness, 7 mm.;
width of head, 4-25 mm.; leneth to apex of labrum, 3-90 mm.

Left mandible with two small apieal teeth inside (proximad of) the
outer one.

Stage I—A bred larva, 48 hours old, has the two inner apical teeth
well defined and acute, but no trace of the tooth near the retinaculum.
Width of head, 2-75 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 2-50 mm.

REPSIMUS AENEUS Fabr. No. 434.
Stage I1].—Greatest length when extended, 32 mm.; width at base
of anal segment, 8 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 4 mm.
Left mandible with a distinct tooth just laterad of the retinaculum,
not well defined cn right mandible. Otherwise apparently the same as
Calloodes greyanus.

Stage 11 —Greatest length, 25 mm.; width, 6 mm.; length in natu ral
curved position, 12 mm.; thickness, 5 mm.; width of head, 3 mm.; length
to apex of labrum, 3 mm.

Stage I.—Width of head, 1-50 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 1-50
mm.

Stages II. and I. with two small teeth within apical tooth.

This species runs very close to Callodes greyanus but the head in
all stages is relatively much smaller and the tooth just distad of the
retinaculum is present, at least in the left mandible.

The Cane Grubs of Australia.

No. 576.

Stage I1].—Greatest length when extended, 40 mm.: width at base
of anal segment, 10 mm.; length in curved natural position, 20 mm.;
thickness, 6-5 mm.; width ef head, 5 mm.; length to apex of labrum,
3 mn.

Epicranium strongly, more or ‘less transversely, rugulose or
wrinkled, except along its caudal and lateral margins where it is smooth,
distinctly more convex than in the related species, the epicranial sclexite
apparently without sete. Pubescenee about as dense as in Anoplog-
nathus, except on abdominal segments where it is much sparser, the
sete throughout shorter than in that species, more especially so on
segmental convexities. Mandibles and antennx very similar to Calloodes
greyanus. Cervix and segmental sutures unarmed.

Closely related to Anoplognathus boisduvali, Calloodes greyanus,
and Repsimus wneus.,

Stage 11.—Greatest length, 27 mm.; width, 6 mm.; length in natural
curved position, 12 mm.; thickness, 5 mm.; width of head, 2 mm.; length
te apex of labrum, 2 mm.

Stage I—Greatest length, 15 mm.; width, 3-25 mm.; length in
normal curved position, 7 mm.; thickness, 2-75 mm.; width of head,
2 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 2 mm.

=

Left mandible in all stages without a trace of the second inner tooth
(not the tooth near retinaculum) present in Stages I. and II. of Calloodes
yreyanus and Repsimus weneus.

No. 539.
Stage ?.—Greatest length when extended, 20 mm.; width at base
J ae 8 eee:
of anal segment, 4-75 mm.; length in natural curved position, 9 mm.;

thickness, 4 mm.; width of head, 2-75 mm.; length to apex of labrum,
2-40 mm.

In general appearance rather similar to the small species No. 650,
ancallies. Anal orifice forming a transverse slit. Whole body dorsad with
long dense pubescence, the basai abdominal segments also with very short,
stout sete; venter of body with scattered sete. Epicranium practically
smooth, with seattered setw, the cephalic margin of epicranial sclerite
with a row of set, elypeus and labrum about as usual. Mandibles about
as usual, the left with two smali acute teeth, the right with one; no small
tcoth near the retinaculum. Apical abdominal segment ventrad without
scattered sete but with a long, oblique row of very close, short, stout
sete on either side, rather far laterad, running nearly the whole length
of the segment, somewhat approaching each other caudad. Antenne
3-jointed; first joint short, second long and slender with two setz dorsad
cn its apical half; third nearly as long as second, its apex conical, with
numerous scattered sete (nearly twenty) on its apical half, the appendix
very long, half as long as the joint but not projecting beyond its apex;
apparently no fourth joint.

LEPIDIOTA FRENCHI Blackburn. No. 538.

Stage I1].—Greatest length at stretch, 1 mm.; greatest width (at
base of anal segment), 10 mm.; length in natural curved position, 18 mm. ;
thickness, 8 mm.; greatest width of head, 6 mm.; length to apex of
labrum, 5-5 mm.

14. The Cane Grubs of Australia.

Very similar to albohirta but will differ as follows :—Stigmata
much larger in comparison to the peritremes the widest portion of the
peritreme not half as wide as the stigmata (nearly as wide in albohirta),
the peritremes distinctly open, the opening slit wider than long (peri-
tremes searcely open in albohirta, the opening slit very narrow, many
times longer than wide) ; apex of abdomen ventrad with a naked longi-
tudinal path, with convexed margins, delimited by about four rows of
rether short, stout sete, these overlapping; the scattered sete being all
round this path.

Stage I1.—Greatest length, 31 mm.; width, 8 mm.; length in natural
curved position, 13 mm.; thickness, 6-5 mm. ; width of head, 4 mm.;
length to apex of labrum, 3-75 mm.

Same as Stage ITI. but colour throughout paler; pubescence some-
what sparser.

Stage 1.—Greatest length, 17 mm.; width, 4-5 mm.; thickness, 3-25
mm.; length in normal curved position, 8 mm.; width of head, 2-10 mm. ;
length, 2 mm.

Same as Stage II. But pubescence still somewhat sparser.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 377.
Stage IiJ.—Greatest length at stretch, 52 mm.; width at base of anal
segment, 8 mm.; length in natural curved position, 14-5 mm.; thickness,
6-75 mm.; w idth of head, ©) mm.; length to apex of labrum, 4.25 mm.

Will differ from albohirta as follows:—Epicranial sclerite very
finely rugose or coriaceous (in albohirta, the sclerite is finely alutaceous,
or irregularly reticulate, the lines feebly impressed and appearing as
cracks) ; sete at its cephalic margin very fine, slender and long, also all
sete on epicranium ; in albohirta the distal tooth of the retinaculum on
left mandible is massive, without acuteness and with only a faint indica-
tion of being divided into two teeth; in this species the two teeth are dis-
tinct and acute; ventral aspect of mandibles smooth (very finely trans-
versely striate in albohirta) ; margins of mandibles not uniformly con-
verging towards apex, the mandible no wider at nearly one-half its
length from apex than at the apex of the inner tooth, or teeth since it
is plainly double (in albohirta, margins of mandible uniformly converg-
ing towards apex, and thus much wider toward base than toward apex
the inner teeth obtuse and only one distinctly defined); peritremes
much open, more so than in No, 533; apex of abdomen ventrad with a
naked path, delimited by one row of about twelve short sete on either side,
these sete meeting across the naked path, which has its margins gently
convex, the scattered sete of anal segment all around this area (in
albohirta none cephalad); pubescence of body rather sparser, more
noticeably so on ventral aspect of abdominal segments 1-7; body more
bluish, nowhere creamy or milky white, the coloured parts paler; first
antennal joint with four sete dorsad; teeth on apex of lacinia and galea
longer and somewhat curved at apex

Stage II.—Greatest length, 22 mm.; width, 5-5 mm.; length in
curved natural position, 9-5 mm.; thickness, 4 mm.; width of head,
3-10 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 3 mm.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 15

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 666.
Stage I11.—Greatest length, 38 mm.; width at base of anal segment,
11 mm.; length in natural curved position, 18 mm.; thickness, 9 mm. ;
vidth of head, 6 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 5-5 mm.

Almost exactly similar to No. 533, but anal path shorter, the delimit-
ing sete longer almost meeting across path, with about forty (or less)
sete on either side, the cephalic third with only one row on either side
(in 533 delimiting sete short, not nearly meeting across path, with
about fifty or less [but more than forty] sete on either side, the cephalic
third with two or more irregular rows on either side) ; peritremes almost
closed; margins of mandibles not uniformly converging towards apex,
the mandible no wider at nearly half its length from apex than at the
apex of the inner tooth (or teeth, since it is plainly double), in 533,
margins of mandible uniformly converging towards apex, and thus much
wider towards base than toward apex. Retinaculum in both species
with the outer tooth dorsad divided into two obtuse teeth. Mandible
‘shaped as in No. 377. Otherwise apparently the same as No. 533.

Stage 11.—Greatest length, 26 mm.; width, 7 mm.; length in natural
curved position, 12 mm.; thickness, 6 mm.; width of head, 4 mm.; lengt:-
to apex of labrum, 3-75 mm.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 215.

Stage [11.—Similar to No. 377 in size and all respects but will differ
as follows:—Anal path longer, the sides more distinctly convex, the
delimiting setz not meeting across meson of path, these sete denser and
shorter, about twenty on either side (never more than twelve in No. 377),
and very distinct, being much darker than surrounding sete.

Stage IIJ.—Similar in size, &¢., to corresponding stage of No. 377.
Although very similar to No. 377, the characteristics appear to hold.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 89.
Stage I1I.—Greatest length at stretch, 30 mm.; width at base of
anal segment, 9 mm.; length in natural curved position, 12 mm.; thick-
ness, 5-5 mm.; width of head, 5 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 4:75 mm.

Similar to albohirta but will differ as follows :—First antennal joint
short, one-half longer than wide and barely more than half as long as
second, without set, the second with one seta dorsad and three ventrad,
the third with two setz at half its length ventrad (in albohirta, first
antennal joint nearly thrice as long as wide and distinctly more than
half as long as second, with five [seven?] setz dorsad, the second with
only one seta dorsad in centre, the third naked); cephalic margin of
epicranial sclerite without a row of sete; left mandible with two small
yet distinct teeth, inside apical tooth, first joint of maxillary palpus
with three sete dorsad (naked in albohirta) ; stigmata and peritremes
about as in No. 533; latero-cervical shield no more than twice as wide as
greatest length (cephalo-caudad), naked except for three set along its
caudo-dorsal side, not reaching ventrad farther than a line drawn
cephalo-caudad through centre of thoracic peritreme, the angle formed
bv the two caudal sides, acute (in albohirta, the shield fully thrice
as long as greatest width, its cephalic margin also with long rather dense
sete, reaching ventrad much below peritreme, the angle formed by the
two caudal sides very obtuse); first lobe of prothorax with only two
sete on either side, the second with three on either side, the third naked,

16 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

the prothorax thus with three lobes of which 1 and 2 are longest at
meson, the latter not present laterad (in albohirta, prothorax with only
two lobes, both with two or more irregular rows of sete of various
lengths) ; first lobe of mesothorax with about three sete on either side
of meson, the second with none at meson but with three on either side
farther laterad, not counting dorsum of segmental convexity, the third
with one seta on either side of meson (in albohirta, first lobe with two or
three rows of various-lengthed sete, the second with two or three rows
laterad, none at meson, the third with one continued row) ; first lobe of
metathorax with four sete on either side of meson, otherwise similar to
mesothorax ; abdominal segments similar to those of albohirta but apical
three segments with fewer seattered sete; venter of body with fewer
sete; apex of anal segment with the anal path not clearly defined, with
only about fourteen delimiting sete in a straight row on either side (about
twenty-eight in albohirta, the path clearly defined) ; body of a uniform
opaque creamy yellow, the coloured paris much lighter than in
albohirta. A specics distinct in structural details and also in habits,
due to its uniform vellowish colour and more flattened form.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 46.
Stage I1/.—Greatest length at stretch, 75 mm.; width at base of
anal segment, 17 mm.; length in natural curved position, 34 mm.; thick-
ress, 15 mm.; width of head, 12 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 12 mm.

Very similar to albohirta but much larger; epicranical sclerite finely
densely rugose or coriaceous, not at all reticulate, the clypeus similar,
mandibles as in No. 377 but distal teeth of retinaculum on left mandible,
obtuse; lacinia and galea with more teeth, these longer, more slender
and somewhat curved at apex; pubescence much sparser but not as sparse
as in No. 89; first antennal joint with four sete, the second with two;
anal path as in No. 89 but the delimiting sete longer, meeting across
meson of path.

No. 650.
Stage [1]. —Greatest length, 22 mm.; width at base of anal segment,
6 mm.; length in natural curved position, 10 mm.; thickness, 5 mm.;
width of head, + mm.; length to apex of labrum, 3-75 mm.

Cephalic margin of epicranial sclerite without sete. First antennal
joint long and slender, not much shorter than second, this latter with
one seta dorsad and three ventrad, the other joints naked. Mandibles
about as in No. 377. Head smooth, shining, at the most very finely
alutaceous. Pubescence about as in No. 45. Anal orifice V-shaped, the
apex caudad and with a longitudinal median channel, running from apex
to caudad of anal path. Peritremes and stigmata distinctly decreasing
in size toward apical segments, the stigmata large, the peritremes
much open. Apex of abdomen ventrad with a horseshoe-shaped area
(open caudad) of about thirty stout, moderately long sete in one row,
these sete much darker and larger than the seattered sete surrounding
them, and set very close together. Whole body showing distinctly bluish,
the yellow parts paler than in Lepidiota albohirta.

Stage I1—Greatest length, 12 mm.; width, 3-5 mm.; length in
natural curved position, 5-5 mm.; thickness, 3 mm.; width of head, 2-5
mm.; length to apéx of labrum, 2-25 mm. Small species, resembling the
smaller stages of the Lepidiota.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 17

No. 667.
Stage III. (?)—Greatest length, 25 mm.; vidth, 6 mm.; length in
natural curved position, 10 mm.; thickness, 5-25 mm.; width of head,
3-75 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 3-5 mm.

Differs from No. 646 in that the shafts of the are not parallel

but somewhat oblique from each other, both the shafts and the branches
shorter, their sete dense, not scattered and with about twenty setz
altogether on either side (about fifteen in No. 646). A larger species.

No. 607.

Stage Il, (?)—Greatest length, 19 mm.; width at base of anal
segment, 5 mm.; length in normal curved position, 8 mm.; thickness,
4-5 mm.; width of head, 2-5 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 2-25 mm.

Anal orifice very deeply channelled, forming a transverse cleft ;
when viewed from the side, the abdomen rising abruptly from it,
situated near apex of dorsal surface, the abdomen squarely truneate
at apex, not pointed. Epicranial sclerite with about two sete on either
side of meson in centre. Second antennal joint about as long as the
other three united.

No. 658.

Stage [11.—Greatest length when extended, 25 mm.; width at base
of anal segment, 6 mm.; length in natural curved position, 11 mm.;
thickness, 5 mm.; width of head, 4 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 3-75
mm.

Epicranial sclerite wholly without sete. Second antennal joint
with one seta dorsal and one ventrad. Anal orifice with a straight
incision across base, forming base of triangle (present in No. 650 but
less distinct), and with an almost straight incision from lateral angle
of orifice to cephalad of the median anal channel (this very faint in
No. 650), with a row of very fine sete on either side running near and
parallel to these incisions, these sete thus forming a V and much finer
than those surrounding; the surrounding sete dense. Otherwise very
similar to No. 650.

No. 609.
Stage III. (?)—Greatest length, 13 mm.; thickness, 3 mm.; length

in natural curved position, 6 mm.; width at base of anal segment, 3-10
mim.; width of head, 2 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 1-75 mm.

Body colour dilute milky white. Epicranial sclerite without. sete
along cephalic margin, naked, except for a single seta on each side of
meson in centre. Apex of abdomen ventrad with a curved bow of about
twenty sete, these sete stouter and larger than those about them, close
together, with a naked path caudad of the bow; cephalad of this bow
are about two irregular rows of short scattered sete. First antennal
joint longest, a little longer than second, the second joint with a single
seta dorsad at half its length.

We have examined several specimens from Gordonvale which alk
appear to agree in the characters given above but the specimens from
Harwood Island, Clarence River, N.S.W., differ in that the second
antennal joint is somewhat longer than the first, and the scattered sete
cephalad of the anal bow are larger and denser. These three specimens
probably are a different species.

B

The Cane Grubs of Australia.

fac
CO
j

No. 646.
Stage II. (?)—Greatest length, 17 mm.; width at base of anal
segment, 4-25 mm.; length in natural curved position, 7 mm.; thickness,
3-75 mm.: width of head, 2-25 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 2-10 mm.

White, the body showing bluish toward apex. Epicranial sclerite
without sete. First antennal joint distinctly shorter than second, the
antenne naked except for a single seta near base of second joint ventrad.
Median channel at apex of abdomen ventréd,; longer than usual and with
a row of about six scattered setzw on either side, close together, each
row at apex caudad with an oblique row of denser set, about nine in
either row, the lines of sete thus forming a Y with the blade double,

thus Wie setee surrounding this Y rather seattered.

No. 587.
Stage I1/.—Greatest length at stretch, 26 mm.; width at base of.
anal segment, 6 mm.,; length in natural curved position, 12 mm.; thick- -
ness, 5mm.; width of head, 3-75 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 3-5 inn.

Closely related to No. 650 but can be distinguished as follows :—
Cephalic margin of epicranial sclerite with a row of rather dense set,
behind this with a row of scattered sete (in No. 650 cephalic margin
with one seta on either side of meson, the row caudad consisting of two
sete on either side); first antennal joint much shorter than second;
pubescence on thorax dorsad rather denser, anal path not so rounded
eephalad, more V-shaped, its lateral margins not converging somewhat
ceaudad, distinctly longer than its greatest width, with about twenty-
four delimiting sete altogether, the sete not very closely set together
(in No. 650, lateral margins of anal path somewhat converging caudad,
no longer or not as long as its greatest width, with about thirty
delimiting sete); scattered sete outside this path, dense, continuing
arp the segment cephalad for distinctly more than length of anal path
Gn No. 650 seattered sete not at all dense, only about seven on either
side of meson cephalad of the path, and continued cephalad for distinctly
jess than length of path) ; of a large and more slender build.

Stage JI.—Greatest length, 16 mm.; width, 4 mm.; length in curved
position, 7-5 mm.; thickness, 3-75 mm.; width of head, 2-5 mm.; length to
apex of labrum, 2.25 mm.

No. 671. ;

Stage I11.—Greatest length at stretch, 28 mm.; width at base of
anal segment, 6-5 mm.; length in natural curved position, 13 mm.;
thickness, 5 mm.; width of head, 3-50 mm.; length to apex of labrum,
3-00 mm.

Very similar to No. 587 but first antennal joint not so short,
delimiting sete of anal path denser and longer as in No. 650 and
forming a broad horseshoe, wider than long, the sete nearly meeting
caudad; scattered sete on venter of apex not so dense; body of a uniform
opaque milky white. Will differ from No. 650 in its white colour, its
Jonger and slenderer form, in bearing a row of setx along cephalic
margin of epicranial sclerite, the setae on venter of apex denser and the
sete of anal path closer together caudad.

The characters given for these closely related species, namely, Nos.
650, 587 and 671, appear constant, several specimens or more of each
species having been examined.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 19

CETONID Sp. No. 46.

Stage ITI.—Greatest length at stretch, 24 mm.; width at base of anal

segment, 6 mm.; length in natural curved position, 11-5 mm.; thickness
5-5 mm.; width of head, 2 mm.; length to apex of labrum, 1-75 mm.

,

Apex of abdomen ventrad with a naked elongate longitudinal path,
closed cephalad, open caudad, two and a-half times as long as wide,
bounded by about fourteen short, stout, close sete on either side, the rest
of the segment with rather dense stoutish sete. Peritremes more closed
than in Cacachroa decorticata.

Stage Ii.—Greatest length, 16 mm.; width, 4 mm.; length in natural
curved position, 8 mm.; thickness, 3-5 mm.; width of head, 1-5 mm.;
length to apex of labrum, 1-30 mm.

No. 364.
Our larve were all in bad condition. For distinguishing charac-
teristics, see table of larvx.

Part Ii.—Scientific Data.

During the past three years the following data have been gathered
on various phases of the life history and habits of cane beetles. The
locality unless otherwise stated is Gordonvale (Cairns), Queensland,
on the Mulgrave River. The data should be considerably enlarged. We
are indebted to Mr. A. M. Lea, of the South Australian Museum, for his
kindness in identifying the adults :—

LEPIDIOTA ALBOHIRTA Waterhouse.

The description of the stages has been offered for publication
elsewhere (Contribution No. XXX. from this laboratory).

THE EGG.
LrenetH or STAGE,
Lot Number Deposited, . F Length of Stage—
Number. of Eggs. 1914, Hatched. Days.
it 12 | January 20 .- |Hebruary It ~.. 12
2 47 January 29 .. | February 12 ai 14
3 36 January 29 .. | February 12 56 14
4 19 | January 10 .. | January 26% 16
5 18 | February 5 .. | February 21 aie 16
6 1} January 25 .- | February 11* .. 17
7 2 | February 3 .. | February 15 vc 12
8 1 | January 18 ..|Hebruary 4* .. 17
Average... ae 14.75

* Approximate date only.

DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF OVIPOSITION.

In confinement eggs have been obtained on the following dates :—
December 15, 22, 29; all of January and February; March 1. The

90) The Cane Grubs of Australia.

period of oviposition is covered by these dates, since the present beetles
were obtained from the forest.

KILLED BY DESICCATION.

Fifty-eight eggs, deposited January 20 and left in dry soil, soon
shrivelled. Thirteen eggs were divided into two lots on January 20, six
placed in moist soil, seven in dry; by February 2 all were dead in the
dry lot, hatching in the normal one. Twenty-seven eggs on January 22
were kept in moist soil, the same number exposed to the atmosphere in
shade. The latter were completely shrivelled after forty-eight hours,
the first hatched February 1. Both lots taken at random from one large
lot. Forty eggs were placed February 7 under a shallow layer of moist
soil; they were shrivelled by February 9; the soil was then thoroughly
dry.

On February 18, six eggs were placed in diffused sunlight (partly
cloudy), and six in the shade. The former were shrivelled after one
hour, the latter after several. Suitable controls kept under a pile
of moist earth remained normal.

DEPOSITION.

Tryon (1896) states that the eggs are deposited in a mass, a cavity
having previously been prepared for them by the mother beetle. Also,
that in confinement eggs are deposited singly. In both cases they are
placed about six inches beneath the soil. In confinement we have met
with both cases. Our only experience with eggs in the field yielded
eleven of them in a cluster, and which were ploughed up February 4 in
dry clay loam of natural forest; they were in a rude cavity and at a
depth of seven inches.

THE LARVA.

NUMBER OF STAGES.

There are three distinct larval stages, Judging from the diameter
of the head. Direct evidence of this was obtained by rearing. Thus,
ten recently hatched larvee were placed into sifted soil planted to corn
on January 26; they were then, of course, in Stage I. On February 17
only eight remained, still in Stage I. On March 2, one larva in Stage II.
was noticed upon the surface of the soil. March 14, only four larve
remained, all in Stage Il, On March 30 no change. April 14, two of the
larvee were in II., two in III.; April 22, all four were in the same stage,
namely IIT. May 19, unchanged; and so on June 5, July 20, and
August 3.

In a second ease, sixteen young larve were placed into a pot of
sifted soil which was planted to corn. On March 2, or a month later,
twelve larve remained, four of which had grown into Stage II. On
March 14, there were but eight alive, of which six were in Stage IT.
On April 27, of the two remaining larve both were in Stage III.; one
recently dead specimen was in II. On May 19, one larva in III.
remained, one found dead in III. July 20, the single larva found
recently dead, in ITI.

For measurement of the head, see description of the stages.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 21

DEVELOPMENT,

At Gordonvale the stages of the larve have been found on the
following dates :—

Stage I. Stage II. Stage ITT.

February 15
| March 3595 105, 11, 13, 16,
i SLS5 205) 235 311
April 3, 6, 8, 10, 17, 18, 30
May 1, 7, 11, 15

January 26
February 4, 19, 23
March 2, 17, 20
April 10, 16

March 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 19,
20, 23, 31

JNyoradl, 335 (8, 9); WML, Weel hs Iles.
30

Mayle oslo lea 22. 20;
25, 26, 28, 29, 31

June 45 os 2 245 255 Zip
29, 30

wl Ws Pay EMO WI Me: ai

| Pei alls Twas

| August

| September

October 21, 24

At Finchhatton, Mackay*, Stage I. was found on October 17, January
28 at Babinda. At Mossman, Stages I]. and III. were found on March 20
and 23, 1912. Thus at Gordonvale, Stage I. is found from January to
April, II. from February to May, and III. from March to Detober.

* This represents a distinct species as found later.

DISTRIBUTION IN UPLAND AND LownAND CANE.

Number of Grubs.

Source of Collection.

Lowland. Upland.
38 stools of cane, dark loam Sie Sic ae 57 a
27 stools of cane, red volcanic .. 6 0 259 Ss
160 stools of cane, red voleanic .. oe ae ie 1,150
Average per stool—
Dark loam ve sie “8 ac ae 1-5 :
Volcanic o¢ 50 Sic at Se 9-5
Average 4-8
Volcanic 5c ote He Sc Se ae a
24,153 yds. of plough furrows, mixed soil ae 1,045
4,620 yds. of plough furrows, mixed soil ae 29 or
17,534 yds. of plough furrows, mixed soils S6 721
Average per yard of furrow .. a "037 O41

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO HABITAT.

This species occurs (and has been found) as a larva in the following
situations:—In organic matter in the sand of (dry) river-bed (rarely) ;
in canefields of voleanic, sandy loam, and clay-loam soils (commonly) ;
in natural forest or bush, in various soils up to 1,000 feet; roots of
erasses (common); under grass on sidewalks of town (common); and
in fields; under the roots of corn and grass; under logs in an orange

99 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

oa

orchard; under logs in forest; under stones at roadside; in waste land
overgrown with weeds; in canefields in jungle country; and in rubbish
and weeds, sandy soil near river.

DISTRIBUTION IN FOREST oR BUSH AND CANE.

The following table summarizes :——

Number of Grubs.
Source of Collection. | Se eee
| Forest or Native
|

Bush. Canefields.

92,006 yards of plough furrows, random fields .. 0

21,700 yards of plough furrows, random fields, | 76 | o6
first cultivation

Average per yard of furrow

oS
S
w
or
=)
—_—
ee)

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILS.

Of 2.546 larve of this species of which record was kept concerning
the kind of soil from which obtained, they were distributed as follows :—

Red Volcanic. Clay Loam. Sandy Loam. sand.
1,874 30 656 50 14 eG 2

At first sight, these figures mean that this species is nearly three
times more numerous in voleanic soils than in ordinary dark clays but
the great preponderance may be due to the fact that more collections
were made from the first class of soils or that this class preponderates
in the region of the collections. If we assume that they are equally
abundant in the two kinds of soil and that, for every time a collection
is made from the clays, two are made from the red soils, then it is
easily understood how such a kind of statistic is arrived at. It is
therefore necessary that the condition in regard to the two be equalised
by being made alike in kind before they become comparable.. This has
been done in the next group of figures, by making the collections equal
in quantity and, so far as possible, in quality. The figures now approxi-
mate the true distribution as follows :—

No. of Grubs. Averages,
poi chlo Source of Collection.
Red Voleanic. | Clay Loam. Per Stool. Per Yard.
| a 2

il .. | 38 eane stools are ah 57 1:5 Fed
2... | 12,505 yds. plough fur- dc | 587 cfs 047

| rows
3 .. 146 cane stools So 1,236 ae 8-4 Suc
4 .. | 31,074 yds. plough fur- 899 se | ie 0-25

rows

The data are not as yet very full but are being continually gathered.
From such data as have been given, the species seems to be equally
abundant in the two soils. That the species occurs in sandy loam is
evidenced by the fact that in one instance sixty specimens were collected
from cane growing on an alluvial flat by following the plough along
nineteen furrows of about a length of one hundred yards each. Our
collections from this soil are not abundant enough to be comparable.

The Cane Grubs of Australia.

bo
wy

FEEDING HaApits OF THE LARV.

The grubs* appear to stand nearly in the same relation to the soil
as do earthworms. That is to say, they are continually passing large
quantit ies of soil through their bodies, altering to a certain extent, no
doubt, its chemical nature and considerably changing its physical texture.
This alteration is brought about by the fact that the organic matter of
the ingested soil is partialh 4 digested and used as food while the soil
is expelled from the anus in the form of a pellet. This constant moye-
ment of soil through their bodies, combined with the loosening effect on
the soil of locomotory movements of the legs and mandibles, must have in
the long run an important effect on the character of soils in a grub-
infested area. But, unlike earthworms, grubs do not to any extent
transport soil from beneath to the surface.

The following evidence has been collected to show that the grubs
subsist largely upon the organic matter in the soil, attacking living
vegetation at the same time but not constantly and habitually.
Habitually and constantly, they are swallowing soil, extracting partially
its organic content, yet a supply of living vegetation seems necessary for
their normal development t=

(1) Young larve when hatched are wholly white, and remain so
until placed into bare soil, after which, in the course of a day
or so, they become coloured—the colour due to soil which has
been ingested. That they are not starved is shown by their
erowth and appearance.

(2) Larve kept in bare soil pass, for days at a time, large amounts
of excrement. This would not be possible unless food was
being obtained.

(3) Larve kept in bare soil mixed with paris green invariably
die after about three days.

(4) Starved grubs have never been found in nature, though
coming from bare soil or from some depth beneath the roots.
of grasses. Larve obtained from a piece of Jand maintained
for three months in a state of barrenness were as plump as
usual, their food canals full of organie matter mixed with
soil.

(5) Grubs are healthy for several months in bare soil without
access to living vegetation.

(6) In cultivated canefields, the larve are often found in bare
parts some distance away from living plants and apparently
unable to reach same for several days at least.

(7) Larve kept in pure sand or in empty glasses commence to
shrivel after several days and to die after a week.

(8) Grubs are not habitually and constantly attendant upon
plants.

(9) Examination of the food canal shows considerable variation
in the nature of the contents, which always is a mixture of
soil and organic matter of vegetable origin, the organic matter
sometimes predominating, often the soil doing so.

(10) Forbes (1907) states that Stiles has shown that a certain

intestinal parasite of swine passes an intermediate stage

* This refers to all species feeding on living vegetable matter and to most others.

D4 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

in the intestines of white grubs (North Avherican). These
parasites must be ingested with soil containing the excrement
of swine probably, or by direct ingestion of the excrement.
If the ingestion of the soil by these grubs was purely acci-
dental and of small amount, it is most hkely that the parasite
would be unable to survive, yet they are abundant. It is
most likely, then, that they must be habitual soil-swallowers.

The following experiment shows that -egetable fuod is necessary
for continued development of the larva albohirta:—On February 2,
sixteen recently hatched larve were placed into each of two flower-pots
containing sifted voleanic soil, one barren, the other planted to corn.
The larve had been selected at random. <A month later, the pots were
dumped and the earth examined, resulting in finding two larve in the
barren pot and twelve in that containing corn; of the latter four had so
grown as to have moited into Stage II., while the other eight were in
cells, preparatory to molting. On April 14, in the fed lot, molting into
Stage III. had commenced. Of the larvee in the barren pot, one was
accidentally killed while the other was discarded. The experiment was
repeated with similar results.

The following experiment was performed with paris green, mixed
with the soil in one pot in about the proportion of one to twenty :—On
January 29, three larve were placed into each of these receptacles, two
similar flower-pots, one with sifted volcanic soil, the other with similar
soil mixed with paris green and an empty glass. By February 2,
examinations showed that the larve in the soil (the control) were
nermal, those in the poisoned soil dead, those in the glass showing
evicent symptoms of starvation (commencing to shrivel). Experiment
repeated with the two pots, and on February 9 the same results were
noted. Repeated with same results on February 14. The control larve
were the same individuals throughout.

BEHAVIOUR OF THE LARVA IN CONFINEMENT.

In rearing this species, use was made of ordinary wooden boxes
filled with sifted soil and planted to corn. After the cage was prepared,
the larvez were simply placed upon the surface of its soil and allowed to
enter of their own accord. Usually, those not entering were discarded.
In many eases, holes were punched into the soil to give them a good
start. After once under, they were never seen again (or very rarely ).
No delay occurred in entering. They thus appear to be out of their
element on the soil surface, and light appears unpleasant to them (or
else the lack of contact on all sides of their body). The corn in the cages
was renewed about every three weeks and the soil was kept moist by
sprinkling from above. In bringing specimens in from the field, tin
boxes were used full of the native soil. Wooden boxes sunk into the

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 25
earth with wire gauze bottoms were used later with more success and
also wire gauze cages of various depths. The larve are not very sensitive
to handling. 7

LOCOMOTION.

The larve have never been observed to come to the surface of the
soil and crawl. Locomotion, therefore, is very laborious, and after the
usual fashion of the young of this group of beetles. On the surface,
however, the larve are capable of crawling upon their venters, moving
with mederate rapidity.

Paw Ae
DEPTH AT WHICH FORMED.

At Mackay (Mirani), October 18, 1911, a pupa was found in the
‘dark soil of a canefield at a depth of 15 inches. At Mossman on October
31, 1911, two pup were found at an average depth of 1 foot; this in a
eanefield. At Gordonvale, November 20, 1911, in a canefield of sandy
soil near the Mulgrave River, one was found at a depth of 6 inches; the
soil was dry for the first 5 inches. In a similar field, the same date, one
was found at 5 inches. In a strip of sod between this canefield and the
bank of the river, two pupal chambers were found at the depth of 5
inches. In red volcanic soil of canefields at Gordonvale, Mr. J. A. Hadley
obtained a pupa at a depth of 3 feet and another at 8 inches. On
November 28, a pupal chamber was found 4 inches below the surface in
sandy loam, and another 51% inches.

When confined in cages of 14 inches square, the great majority of
the six or more thousand grubs so kept pupated at or toward the bottom
where there was sure to be more moisture. When confined in deep wire
eages sunk into the earth to depths of 1} feet, 16 inches, 37 inches, 42
inches, 33 inches, 53 inches, 55 inches, and 43 inches, the larve always
pupated in the bottom half-foot or so of soil, though in these cases this
part of the soil was certainly no more moist than that some inches above
it. In flower-pots sunk into the earth for depths not exceeding one foot,
pupation occurred near the bottom. It seems an instinct at this time
for the grub to burrow downward indefinitely.

MANNER OF FORMATION.

All the pups seen by us were in smooth-wailed earthen cells and
were naked—that is, not enclosed by the larval cast. They lie on their
backs.

DURATION OF THE PERIOD OF PUPATION.
Pup have been recorded on the following dates at Gordonvale :-—
October 13, 14, 15, 17, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27.
November 6, 8, 11, 17, 25.
December 8.

The period extends, therefore, from about October 13 to December

26 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

8. The great majority were met with in October. One pupa was found
on August 6, 1913, evidently an exceptional case. Larve have been
found in pupal chambers as early as July 20, but this is exceptionally
early. The first pupa ever found was on August 14 in confinement.

LENGTH OF PUPAL STAGE.

Of thirty-five cases noted in respect to this—but not perfect records,
because the time of pupation was never accurately obtained—the time
as pupa ranged from eight days to twenty-seven days. The real period
must therefore exceed twenty-seven days by several days.

THE ADULT.

PERIOD OF ADULT AERIAL EXISTENCE.
Adults have been recorded on the following dates :—
November 4, 1221592324925) 221 28.800:
December 1, 45%6,9) 10712. 13 14 aG? a19) 20 ole 3G:
January 1,256,723, 12a is, 6 1S 19.893 24s 26 29)
Mebruary.o; (6:27) 03 Ase 202123 226.
March 25.

The maximum frequency is approximated by the relative lengths of
the rows of dates.

PERIOD OF EMERGENCE FROM Purpa.

This means actual transformation into the adult in the pupal
chamber below the earth’s surface; but as this phenomenon is but rarely
observed, the dates given really refer to the times at which newly emerged
adults were found in the soil, or at least those which had never left the
soil. These are easily recognised by their appearance. They have been
found on the following dates :—

October 14, 15, 16, 21, 26, 28, 31.

November 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12,13) 14, 15, 19) 20, 2-22) Do. 28:
December 3, 11, 15, 18, 19; 22, 24.

January 23.

The depth at which found varied from just under the surface to
depths of a foot or more, but the larger number were turned up by the
plough. The frequency is approximated by the relative lengths of the
lines. A fresh emergence of adults from the soil has been noted as late
as January 23*,

Lenets or ApuLT AERIAL LIFE.

In order to obtain data on this, it became necessary to capture
beetles and confine them indoors with food. The table summarises. The
material was from forest :—

* Transformation in confinement was always early, so that it may be assumed
for the present that the adults dig their way out at the earliest opportunity, at least.
after varying intervals of time.

The Cane Grubs of Australia.

LENGTH oF ADULT AERIAL LIFE IN CONFINEMENT WiTH Foop.

Material from Natural Habitats.

20

| | {

Number of Beetles.
ate
Lot Number. | | nee a
3 oF, Total
e | |

re 4 12 16 | Jan. 12
ae Se 2 2 | Jan. 18
Bo ul 1 O} Naaman 1
4. we 1 1 Feb. 17
iS Bc il 1 Feb. 17
(BG 1 ] 2 dan. 4:
hs | 2 7 9 Jan. 7
Se. 2 1 3) dane <7
ol 5 4 2 a aE NAG. 7
LOM: oe 2 2 Jan. 12
HAs 2 2 | Heb. 23
PA 1 1 Feb. 6
Lome 2 2 | Jan. 27
Aa. 7 5 12) | Jan. 27
15 1 1 Feb. 7
Ge. 1 1 | Feb. 17
ie: 1 re 1 | Jan. 12
Ses 1 1 Jan. 12
19. il 1 Jan. 28
20 sie 1 1 Feb. 6
21 oe 2 2 Jan. 12
De an i] 1 Jan. 28
Darin as 2 2) i Jans 14
2A 5 ll 16 | Jan. 15
VASES 1 me 1 Jane wl
26: s Ae 1 1 | Jan. 11
DQhleas 1 ae i ieklebe 19
282% 1 1 | Feb. 9
29 . 1 1 | Jan. 28
Ome il 1 |Feb. 8
ile 1 Ws Ie wane £2
S20 II I Jan. 12
333 < 2 2 | Jan. 14
34. 7 6 13 | Dec. 24
345) 16 4 4 8 Jan. 6
ae 10 10 20) wan (8
Sil 1 1 2 janes
ote) <ome ie is ae 9 Feb. 7
Bit aes oe ae A aa 39 | Feb. 10
AQ: Als! Se sf 59 | Feb. 11
AN ier. ae ae Ne 17 | Feb. 14
42) Ss Bo) Ae o% 18 | Feb. 20

Totals ..| 62 89 283 |

Averages Bp Se on

Date of Death,

jy
jay)
i=}

. 26

20

|

Length of Life—

Days.

3 2
14 14
ee 10
8 16
‘ 11
“ 10
14 14
8 8
19 19
5 5
d 14
11
18
aust 14
i 11
vA 7
et 8

8 | .
| ll
ed 11
eee | 14
: 11
: 13
; 12
a ay | 12

9 aS
Bates | 18

6 | :
: 1l
12
Ee 12

8 xf
15
- 12
ee | 13
13 13
11 11
10 10
ll ll
12 12
ll 11
10 | 10
12 | 12
213 | 455
10-14 | 12

The actual period of aerial existence is only approximated here. If
beetles are confined before they have left the soil (and thus before they
have taken food), they will live a considerable period of time, as shown

92 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

in the following summary. Very little or no food is taken, and they
seem to be awaiting the action of some stimulus :—

LENGTH OF ADULT LIFE IN CONFINEMENT WITH Foop.

The Material from the Soil or from Rearing Cages.

Number of Beetles, | | Death. | Length—Days.
Lot Number. 7 Date, | =
a Q Total. | 3g OY ameter Q

ik 1 1 2 |Nov. 7) Dec. 8 | Dec. 26 3l 49
ie 1 il 2 | Nov. 5] Dec. 23 | Dec. 27 48 52
Be 1 1 2 |Dec. 18 | Jan 6 |Feb. 9 19 53
Aa 1 il 2 | Nov. 7) Dec. 14 | Dec. 25 37 48
Si 1 1 2 | Nov. 7) Dec. 28 | Dec. 29 51 52
6. 1 1 2 |Nov. 7)! Dec. 28 | Dec. 28 51 51
hier a ne i= | Dees 20 | Jan. 2 at 13

Se. 2 6 8 | Dec. 20 | Jan. 12 | Jan. 12 23 23
Om 4 ae 4 Dee. 20 | Jan. 26 aa 37

On & 1 1 | Dee. 20} =: Feb. 4 46
i 4 cs 4 |Nov.10|Jan. 3 ms 54

2s ak 1 1 Nov. 10 | ' Jan. 10 61
132 10 2 12 | Nov.10! Dec. 9| Dec. 9 29 29
Aer. 3 4 7 | Nov. 10} Dec. 16 | Dec. 16 36 36
See 3 1 4 | Nov. 10 | Dec. 23 | Dec. 23 43 43
1G é 50 3 Se NowealOs ae Dec. 3 50
dy es 2 2 Nov. 10 | ; Jan. 6 57
Si: 1 or 1 | Nov. 11] Dee. 8 2 27 Sc
18) % 1 50 1 | Nov. 11 | Dee. 22 a 41 ae
20)i i 1 Nov. 11 | F Dec. 29 te 48
Pa 6 1 1 Nov. 11 | F Jan. 6 a 56
22) 1 1 | Nov. 11 | Dec. 12 is 31 a
23. 2 2 | Nov. ta Jan. 3 ao 53
2a, 1 Af 1 Nov. 12 | Dec. 22 rae 40 ae
PANG * 1 1 Nov. 12 4 Jan. 6 36 55
26ee 3 4. i | Now. 13) dan: (35 |iJan.) 3 51 51
Zils 1 1 2 | Nov. 13') Jan. 5} Jan. 6 53 53
28 . in, “hy Pees 1 Dec. 11 | Dec. 22 i 11 :
29. oe ] 1 Dec. 11 3 Jan. 6 ee 26

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 99:

-~

LENGTH OF LIFE IN CONFINEMENT WITHOUT Foop.

Number of Beetles. | Death. Length of Life—Days,
fot Number, Date. =
3 Q Total. S Q 3 Q
- — - | —_ — - - ———<___} _.
Material from Forest. (Emerged Adult.)
1b i 1 A dicho 7 dieing 28} leva, BS 16 16
Dis F 1 1 2 | Jan. 19 | Jan. 23 | Jan. 23 4 4
Bg 3 28 2 2 \tiebsason| ate | Feb. 13 sc 8
Ay. ae il 1 Jan. 28 a | Feb. 7 a5 10
Br: a 1 1 | Feb. 18 seo LtBebmewi lL. es 9
6 3. IL 1 2 | Feb. 18 | Mar, 1) Mar. | 10 Il
Tia : ma 1 1 Jan. 19 | wa Jam. 27 8
Shao 2 2 Rebs 5) | Feb. 17 12
Sine 2, 2 | Feb. 17 , | Feb. 28 Il
10) il ae 1 ane Jan 17 | un | 10
Ul sg 2 2 |Feb. 5 | oe | Feb. 14 7 9
1 1 1 | Nov. 25 | =i | Nov. 30 wie 5
1635 i . 1 Dees, WekDecheron| bis 4 ins
14. 1 ets i Nov. 30| Dec. 4 | ae 4
15 Ho 1 1) Sore Says Jan. 19 : 12
KG 66 6 24 1 1 | Jan. 10 | Jan. 18 | 4 8
Uh ie 3 Ae 1 if Feb. 23 | Mar. 5 | 12
Spee as 2 2\)| Bebs 54 Feb. 14 9
19 . ae i 1 | Jan.-28 aye Feb. 6 i 9
20 . 6 1 1 2 | Jan. 16 | Jan. 26! Jan. 29 | 10 13
Di. 1 1 2 Jam. 1Gs|Jen. 27Jans 29%) 11 13
DO. 3 1, 3) 1 2 |Feb. 5] Feb. 11 | Feb. 15 6 10
733 8 1 1 2 | Jan. 19| Jan. 26|Feb. 8} 7/ 20
The Material. (Unemerged Adults.)
Ig . merits —L IL WINGS Po Wien, NG a6 26
Dike 1 1 2 | Dee. 3} Mar. 10 | Mar. 6 97 93
Bie DS Wee e | 2) Dec. as dameeoil sy a ol ie
Ares eee be 1 | Dee. 3 can idem. 9 Be 47
Bo 1 as 1 | Dec. 19 | Dee. 29 ste 10 ai
Dire . 1 Lea 2 ec. 24| Jan. 7| Jan. 7} 14 14
0 cic 20 1 MDs EN oo i digits Bi a 10
Stier 1 2 3 |Dec. 24|Jan. 8|Jan. 8 15 15
OW. it xe 1 Nov. 5/|Jan. 19 sis 66
Ores i Ae 1 | Nov. 22 | Dec. 12 he 20
Te. 1 as 1 | Nov. 21)Dec. 18 =. PAF ae
1) ar 1 1 Nov. 15 ae Dec. 27 ane 42
113} «2 1 1 2 Oct. 21 | Nov. 14} Dec. 26 24 66
Ae. 2; an 2 | Nov. 13] Dec. 24 af Bt
15} e 1 ‘ 1 | Nov. 18 | Nov. 25 ic 5 ae
1G 6 as 2 2 | Oct. 26 on Jane ot os 68
GAS i ze 1 Jan. 23 | van, 27 ot 4 Ane
LS: 2 at 2 | Oct. 15 | Dec. 14 : 50
Ore 1 i 2 Decks 22 "Jane wren vO 14 14
20. 2 he 2 | Dee. 22 | Jan. 6 ; 15
2s 1 il I Dee. 22 |\Jans. on wanes 12 16
292 2 2 4 ec. 18|Jan. 8/|Jan. 8 21 21
Doe 1 if 2 |Dec. 18} Jan. 14] Jan. 11 A 24
D4. 1 S10 iJ Oct. 26 | Dec. 25 60
Zoe 1 ae 1 | Nov. 14} Nov. 20 5 6
PAD 6.0 2 1 3 | Dec. 18| Jan. 4/)Jan. 4 17 17
OES a 1 1 2 | Nov. 12 Jan. 4 Jan. 14 23 33

30 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

PROPORTION OF THE SEXES.

The following table summarises the relative number of the sexes at
different times during the beetle season :—

ee | Source. Date. Males. Females. Total. Proportion.
1 | Unemerged. cages .. | October .. ll 8 19
2 | Unemerged, field .. | October .. 5 4 9
3 |Emerged .. ee October) War 2 26 2
4 | Unemerged, cages .. | November 58 al 129
5 | Unemerged, field .. | November 12 3 15
6 |Emerged .. .. | November 45 22 67
7 | Unemerged, cages .. | December.. 53 20 73
8 | Unemerged, field .. | December.. 7 6 13
9 |Emerged .. .. | December. . 7197 Tol 1,528
10 | Unemerged, cages .. | January 56 oa |
11 | Unemerged, field ..| January .. 3 3 6
12 |Emerged .. ..| January .. 558 | 909 1,467 |
13 |Emerged .. -. | February .. 12 59 rds il
14 | Miscellaneous 56 ae 32 23 55
1,595 1,859 | 3,454 145: 169

FLIGHT or ADULTS.

The adults of this species are capable of flying considerable dis-
tances; we have followed them in flight as far as the eye would allow.

MATING.

The manner of mating is normal for Coleoptera. The act follows
upon a period of feeding.

DEVELOPMENT OF EGGS IN THE OVARIES.

Upon emergence from the soil, the ovaries of the female are practi-
cally empty, development advancing as food is taken. Mating may occur
before the eggs in the ovaries have reached perfection. Nearly ten days
or even more elapse between emergence and perfect development of the
ovaries.

Number or Eaes Lap.

The largest number of eggs found by dissection was 24, on November
27. This seemed to be the full amount, the eggs equal in size and perfect.
Other dissections, unfortunately, were made too early, resulting in
finding the ovaries empty.

The largest number of eggs deposited by a female (captured from
forest February 17, and confined with food) was 24; these were in a
rude cell with the dead body of the mother insect. Adults taken from
cages or from the soil before natural emergence would never deposit
eggs, for the reason that the eggs were never developed in the ovaries.
Ags these latter would never feed either, it would seem certain that the
eggs do not develop until food is taken. Adults which have fed (captured
from forested areas), when brought into the laboratory and starved,
deposit eggs.

THE RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE SPECIES.

This is best shown by counting the larve of random collections. The
following summary then includes every soil-inhabiting grub collected and
identified by us:

The Cane Grubs of Australia, Sil

‘THE RELATIVE NUMBERS OF LEPIDIOTA ALBOHIRTA IN RANDOM COLLECTIONS

oF GRUBS.
| |
Species— Albo- | Anoplog.- Miscel- | Caca- | | Xylo-
533. | hirta | nathus. \laneous.| chroa. | 377 | 646. | 678. | trupes,
27) eee a here
Total 619 4,313 | 1,871 | 60 | 556 | 246 3 16 322
| | |
Species— |
Dasygnathus. | 349. 89. | 364. | 655 and} 576. 45. | 607. | 609. | 587 and
| 434. 650.
Total 215 | 15 76 12 680 270 2 20 | 8 182
21
29

The grand total is 9,577. It would seem, then, that, of all the soil-
infesting scarabeid grubs at all commonly met with in the various
natural and artificial habitats in the vicinity of Gordonvale, albohirta is
commonest. Nearly every other specimen met with is this species, as the
figures show.

Tue RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE SPECIES IN THE CANEFIELDS.

The following table shows this in random collections of larve from
fields of cane :—

Tur RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF LEPIDIOTA ALBOHIRTA IN RANDOM COLLECTIONS
FROM CANEFIELDS.

|
Species— \ |
Anplognathus. 89. Albohirta. 45. | 576. | 533. | 607. | Dasygnathus.
| t
1,369 | 58 3,804 1 1 332 1 111
{
: L x
Species—| | | Miscel-
laneous. Cacachroa. | Xylotrwpes. | 434 653. | 650

609. | 349. | 377.

5 2 158 177

The grand total is 6,172. Thus in canefields every other scarabeid
larva met with is this species.

THe RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE SPECIES UNDER STOOLS oF CANE.

Without actually watching with greatest care, the evidence of injury
tc eane is best obtained by collecting species from beneath cane-stools,
especially in fields where the crop is showing obvious injury, or the roots
have been eaten. Evidence by observation is very difficult to obtain,
owing to the hidden life of the larve. The following table summarises,

39 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

therefore, random collections found immediately under individual cane
plants. The data are not very numerous :—

|
|
|

Species— | | | |
Albohirta. 547. | 377. | 650. | 533. | 646. | Caca- aaerreg: 434, Bie
| | | | | chroa. | nathus. | | nathus.
> CEP
Meer) Bea oe || BS Eh 2), 8 8 | 1 | 5
| | |

The total is 1,539. These data show very plainly that this species is over-
whelmingly the most abundant under the roots of cane-plants, and conse-
quently the one to which most of the damage must be attributed. Taking
the three species of Lepidiota out, there would remain a very negligible
quantity to do damage. Thus, Lepidiota must be considered primarily
cane beetles, and this species (albohirta) the cane beetle, at least so far
in the locality in which the studies were made.

Tak RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF THE SPECIES IN NATURAL FOREST.

From Random Collections. The data as yet not large. A larger amount of it was
unusable on account of the identification factor being absent.

Species—
Albohirta. 53a. |3a77and'| 650. 364. 89. 646. 587
609. |
123 172 116 Boley 2 | 19 5 29
|
Species— |
Xylotrupes. 539. 434, Anoplog- | 607. | Dasygnathus.| Cacachroa,
nathus. |
4 1 3 74 17 44 312
Percentages :—

The total is 1,027. From these data, the cacachroa seems must abun-
dant in nature as far as this habitat is concerned. The species albohirta
here falls from an easy first place (in canefields) to an uneasy third.

BEHAVIOUR OF ADULTS IN CONFINEMENT.

When healthy adults.are placed into suitable breeding cages and
supplied with food, they follow in general their normal life routine,
becoming active at night, inactive in ihe daytime. But during the latter
period, instead of remaining aboye eround, they invariably hide them-
seives in the soil. Their behaviour, then, is similar to that of the various
species of the North American genus Lachnosterna. Adults which of
themselves have never left the soil, but which were taken from cages or
ploughed up in the field, at once bury themselves and never leave the soil,
even if placed in the presence of food. They seem physiologically
different from those which have naturally left the soil because of some
instinct, or in response to some stimulus.

THe Hapirs AND Foop or ADULTS.

The beetles of this species commence to emerge from the ground

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 33
about half an hour before sundown, or just before dusk, and the flight
continues for about half an hour. A tree or shrub is chosen, usually close
to a canefield, on which the beetles alight and immediately commence
feeding. Observations show that through the night the beetles are quies-
cent and do not fly, but towards morning and just before daybreak some
leave their all-night position and fly off. Again at twilight, when a
position has been taken up on the verge of a canefield, it has been noticed
that there are two flights of beetles, one from the cane into the forest, the
other and smaller fiight from the forest into the cane. Those flying into
the fields would probably be females about to deposit eggs, which would
also be apparent of those flying at dawn. During the day the beetles
remain clinging to the feeding-tree and do not fly until evening. In eap-
tivity, numbers hid in the earth during the day, coming to the surface
again at dusk; but this does not appear to occur in the natural state, and it
has been found that where beetles were in evidence before daylight the
numbers were not diminished during the day. No food is eaten during
the day, the beetles remaining hanging to the hidden and protected sides
of the leaves, and sometimes to the smaller stems. Rain does not appear
to affect this habit, as in rainy, windy weather they have been noticed
in their usual positions. Mating has not been cbserved during the day,
and but few observations have been made, but a mating pair has been
captured at 7.30 p.m. (v.e., shortly after dark). As with allied species
(namely, frencha and rothei), this probably takes place immediately
after emergence.

A sharp jar suffices to shake the beetles from the feeding-tree, but
windy weather necessitates sharper jarring as they then cling more
tightly. They fall headlong to the ground, and after a few moments
bury themselves beneath any débris that lies near, not attempting to fly
except in the afternoon, when they frequently spread their wings and
sail or fly some distance before alighting. Individuals captured and
thrown into the air generally fly. How far the beetles fly is a question
not determined accurately.

Trees on the edge of canefields are usually chosen for feeding pur-
poses but all through the forest and often a mile or two from canefields
beetles can be found. Dead specimens have been picked up ali the
way up the forested slopes of Mount Pyramid, 3,000 feet, near Gordon-
vale, except on the extreme summit, and fully a mile, as the crow flies,
from the nearest canefield.

The flight is slow and laborious, with a low drumming sound, the
elytra being well raised. It would seem that they cannot see distinctly,
as during flight numbers hit against roofs and walls of houses, &e.
Artificial lights do not attract them, though occasionally stray specimens
will fly to a light, but, considering the enormous numbers that must fly
within the range of lights, this is only to be expected.

Sometimes hundreds of beetles will congregate on one tree to feed,
especially if the tree be large, but as a general rule only a small number
collect on one tree. Special situations are often chosen, and numbers
may be gathered day after day in one small area, where none can be
found elsewhere in the neighbourhood. Trees of any size may be selected,
but small shrubs and saplings (from 8 to 25 feet high) appear to be
preferred; however, a large tree will often attract scores of bettles, while
rarely is a small one crowded. That certain food-plants are favoured is

C

84 The Cane Grubs of Australia.
evident; observations, however, have been restricted to seasons when the
beetles were comparatively few, and in abundant seasons trees may be
attacked indiscriminately. Food-plants may belong to almost any order,
whereas trees in the same genus, and obviously very closely related, may
or may not suffer defoliation. Jungle (7.e., scrub) or forest trees are
attacked without difference. Around Gordonvale the country is mostly
forest, which may account for the preponderance of forest trees given
in the food list. Tryon (in 1896, p. 19) remarks as follows :—*‘Since
their (i.e., the beetles’) food is yielded almost wholly by the leaves of
so-called scrub trees, they are almost exclusively found within or in the
vicinity of scrubs, or along the course of creeks that are fringed by
scrub vegetation.’’ Our experience at Gordonvale shows that the beetles
feed throughout the forest land as well as on the fringes of jungle
vegetation. This may be accounted for by the prevalence of forest (7.e.,
open bush with typical Austrahan Hucalyptus and other flora) lands.
Individual beetles may feed on more than one kind of food-plant, as
has been abundantly proved in captivity. The following list of food-
plants has been compiled from direct observation. As most of the
observations have been made during the past year, when beetles were
not plentiful, and almost solely in the vicinity of Gordonvale, the list
is no doubt far from complete, though it probably includes most of the
commoner and more frequent food-plants.

(1) The Figs (Ficus sp.) —F ive species of Ficus are known to us
that are attacked by the beetles; they are amongst the
commonest food-plants. Of these five, the most favoured is
the ornamental cultivated weeping fig. Each plant of this
species is periodically visited by the beetles, although no
instance has come to our knowledge of any of these trees
being greatly defohated. The four other species are usually
met with along edges of jungles, and are not so preferred.

(2) Eugenia sp. (Wild or River Cherry).—A very common plant
along the Mulgrave River and lowland creek banks. Only one
record of this tree being a food-plant was made, when about
twenty beetles were gathered from one tree.

(3) Philanthus sp—aA rather common tree growing in the vicinity
of jungles, but beetles have been observed upon it only once.

(4) Miscellaneous Jungle Trees.—On several occasions, beetles
have been taken from unknown jungle trees.

(5) Leichhardt Tree.—Very plentiful in swampy streams, or
along creek banks, but rarely attacked.

(6) The Cultivated Mango.—Odd specimens have been taken
Several times from the leaves of this tree, but it is not an
important food-plant.

(7) The Cocoanut Palm.—A rare tree around Gordonvale. Trees
have been noticed that were greatly damaged.

(8) Tar Tree—A native tree attaining great size and growing
freely along the fringes of jungles. Beetles have been found
attacking it on several occasions, trees of large size, from
50 to 70 feet high, being attacked.

The Cane Grubs of Australia, 35.

4

(9) Careya australis—aA common tree of the forest lowlands. A
few trees were observed loaded with beetles, in December,
1911, but these are the only records.

(10) Common Cultivated Bananas.—Banana plantations are
frequently visited by the beetles, numbers of the plants being
badly eaten, leaving only the midrib.

(11) Wattles (Acacia sp.) —The wattle, known locally as the
black wattle, is a rather favourite food-plant. It rarely
reaches a height of 30 feet, but the small saplings are usually
attacked. Another species of wattle, growing with this one
in the forest areas, has not yet been observed eaten.

(12) Melaiewcas—Three species of the genus Melaleuca grow
commonly in the forest around Gordonvale, two of which bear
white flowers, the third beautiful pink blossoms. One of the
white-flowered species is especially common, growing in the
low-lying areas where water often lies for several months in
the year; this tree is preferred to a very great extent, being
usually favoured when attaining a height of from 15 to 30
feet, and the same clump of trees has been found to yield
beetles each day for a month. The two other species are
not used as food-plants to nearly such an extent.

(13) The Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia (?), or crebra
(?)).—This tree is met with on the higher forest lands, and
is thus seldom situated near canefields. Odd trees growing
alongside canefields were several times noticed infested with
beetles. |

(14) The Bloodwood (HFucalyptus corymbosa (?))—A_ very
common tree right throughout the forest, except in the very
swampy lands, and rarely attaining a great height. Small
trees are frequently attacked by the beetle,

(15) Moreton Bay Ash (Kucalyptus tesselaris).—Scattered

throughout the forest, but not common. By far the favourite
food-plant of albohirta, trees of all sizes being defoliated
indiscriminately, and in the beetle season one rarely finds
one of these trees within a mile or more of a canefield that
is not infested, while the surrounding trees are totally devoid
of beetles.

The observations noted above serve to show that Lepidiota
albohirta is partial to the foliage of certain trees, while numbers are
never attacked. Thus, among the common trees growing in the vicinity
of canefields around Gordonvale, Eucalyptus tesselaris, E. corymbosa,
Melaleuca sp., Black Wattle, Banana, and the species of Ficus are most
often attacked; while such common trees as Careya australis, Tristania
suaveolens, Eucalyptus platyphylla, the Mango, and the second species
of Wattle are rarely if ever chosen as food.

LEPIDIOTA FRENCHI Macl. No. 533.

THE EGG.
None obtained. a 5 ee

36 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

THE LARVA.

At Gordonvale, the stages of the larva have been found on the
following dates :—

Stage I. Stage II. Stage IIT.
March 21 January 28 January 20, 23
April 7, 8, 23 | February 5 February 5, 15, 24
June 12 | March 9, 28 March 3, 9, 10, 11, 19
| April 1, 2, 3, 20, 23, 24, 29, | April 2, 3, 16, 20, 30
30 May 2, 13, 20, 23, 25, 27, 31
May 2, 11, 13, 25, 26 June 4, 7, 8, 12, 25, 26
June 7, 8, 12, 15, 28 July 7, 8, 16, 22
July 5, 7, 11, 22, 30 August 8, 14, 19
August 8, 13, 17, 21, 26 September 3
September Octcher 28, 23
«October 28, 23 November 3, 13, 16, 18, 25
November 16, 18 December 4, 20, 22, 24
December 15, 24

At Babinda, Stages II. and III. have been found January 27; at
Mossman, III. on October 31, March 21; Cooktown, I. February 2, 28;
Il. February 8, March 1; III. February 28.

Thus Stage I. is found from end of January to June (probably
an odd specimen April, therefore being limit of stage), Stages II. and
Ill. throughout the year. There is abundant proof that this species,
unlike albohirta, has a life-cycle of more than one year, as Stages II.
and ff. can be found throughout the year. Thus 25 Stage IT. were taken
from ecanefields May 14, 1913, and kept in captivity; on October 23, 22
were alive, still in Stage II.; by November 18, two had entered into
Stage III.; by December 17, more were in Stage III., but majority still
in IJ.; on January 28, 1914, majority in Stage III., a few in II.; not
again examined till July 22, when two III. were found.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILS.

Owing to the comparative paucity of this species, there is less data
to show its abundance in different soils. The following table summarises
some of the data:—

|
Number of Grubs.

Collection Number. Source of Collection. i al Se La ec men Yard.

Red Volcanic. Loam,

Plough Furrows—Yds.

1 1,800 8 on 004

2 900 3 .% 003

3 1,280 Agi 9 -00703
4 2,000 4 ee | 002
5 440 ee 24 | “O54

6 1,500 ae 3 | -002

7 900 Ps 8 | 008

8 1,680 ix 7 | 00417

|
DISTRIBUTION AS REGARDS HABITAT.
mm

Mhis species appears to oceur throughout N.E. Queensland from
Cooktown to Cairns. It is found in both forest and jungle soils, in

The Cane Grubs of Australia. aH
eanefields or under native and other grasses, and is seemingly more
abundant there than in canefields. Of a total number of 390 larve of
which record was kept concerning the habitat, they are distributed as
follows :—

Cane fields, Forest Grasses, Weeds, &e.
257 a 133
But of those collected in canefields, 114 were taken in one collection.
Moreover, much more collecting has been made in the eanefields than in
the open.
DISTRIBUTION IN UPLAND AND LOWLAND.
Of the total number of larvee in general collections from Upland
and Lowland, they are distributed as follows :—
Lowland. Upland.
81 os 22
Owing, however, to the small number of larve, this result is probably
not true.

EE Peas
We have very little data as to the pupation of this species.

Numerous larve were found in earthen cells in grass lands at depths
varying from 2 to 31% feet, but usually nearer the lesser depth, in the
second week of June. A pupa taken from a bred cage on November 20
emerged December 10; another from a bred cage on November 25
emerged December 12.

EMERGENCE OF ADULTS.
The only dates on which this species has been recorded are—January
22nd, 1912, December 3rd, 10th, 12th, 1912 (bred), February 3rd, 1913,
March 13th, 1913, December 20th, 23rd, 1913.

From several grass-plots in the township of Gordonvale, thousands
have emerged in the three seasons noted. Emergence takes place soon
after dusk, and continues for about half an hour, the emerged beetles
circling round low over the surface of the ground, and mating
immediately. A walk round one of these plots just after dusk has
produced numerous mating pairs, clinging to wire or wooden fences or
sides of houses, &e.. No food-plants are recorded, but one specimen has
been taken from many, on the foliage of bloodwood (Hucalyptus corym-
bosa ?), and several of the forest trees probably constitute the number.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 666.
LARVA.

Known only from the Bundaberg and Childers districts, South
Queensland, the specimens having been obtained solely from canefields.
The Childers specimens, several Stage IIl., two Stage II, were taken
by following plough, red volcanic soil, upland, July 1. Those from
Bundaberg, three Stage III, were taken from under stool of cane,
March 9.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 45.
We have only one record of this species, several larve stage III.
being obtained from a canefield cleared from jungle only six months,

38 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

and in which the high stumps of the jungle trees were still standing,
Innisfail, North Queensland, January 12, 1912. These may be the larvae
of Lepidiota froggatti.

LEPIDIOTA FROGGATTI Macleay.
One adult found lying on a road near jungle, not in a cane area,
Yungaburra, 2,500 feet, Cairns district, December 30th, 1911.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 215.

Larve have been obtained as fellows at Gordonvale:—Stage ITT.
from old canefield, red voleanie soil, following plough, 16th June, 1912;
Stage III. in captivity, 25th November, 1912; Stage III. from forest,
following plough, red voleanie soil, 21st April, 1914; Stage II. from
forest, following plough, red voleanic soil, 3lst August, 1914. These
are our only records, and the species is therefore very rare.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 377.
(Probably L. rothei.)

THE EGG.
None obtained.

THE LARVA.

At Gordonvale, the stages of the larva have been found on the
following dates :—

Stage I. Stage IT. Stage ITI.
Nil March 31 March 19, 29
Api 21, 30 April 1, 7, 21
May 7, 27 May 1, 12
June 4,7,8 June 4, 7, 25
| July 7 July 3, 16, 31
August 12, 20, 26, 31
September 3
October
November 16

Thus stage II. is found to middle of July, stage IIT. from middle
of March to middle of November. From the recorded data it would
seem that this species does not extend its life-cycle beyond a year.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILS.

Of 121 larve of which record was kept concerning the soil, they are
distributed as follows :—

Red Volcanic. Clay or Dark Loam. Sandy Loam. Sand.

63 wy 58 * -- ae --

That is, the species is no more abundant in voleanie than in loamy soil
but since more collecting may have been done in one soil than in
another the evidence is far from conclusive.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 2g

The following table gives a slight idea of relative abundance :—

Golisétion ; Number of Grubs.
inal. Source of Collection. : : Average per Yard.
| Red Volcanic. | Loam.
| Plough Furrows—Yds.

Tee es ae 4,375 | re | 11 -00251
2 Sc 5,760 | ‘a A 00122
Dos 51 3,645 a 13 -00357
Ae 3 5.0 1,050 8 ate “00762

|

DISTIBUTION AS REGARDS NATURAL HABITAT.

Known to us only from the neighbourhood of Gordonvale, and
frequenting the open forest lands and grassfields, more than the cane-
fields. Of a total number of 136 larvee whose habitat was recorded, 104
came from forest and grass land, and 32 from canefields. Of course,
these numbers cannot be given too much consideration, still they seem to
be about the right proportions. Upland and lowland soils are both
infested, but our data are not sufficient to give the relative ratios.

THE PUPA.
None obtained.

EMERGENCE (2.e., Adults of ZL. rothet).

The only dates on which this species has been recorded are—January
22nd, 1912; December 27th, 1912; and February 13th, 1913; December
Zot, 1913.

It breeds in the township of Gordonvale in company with frenchi,
and the remarks regarding the emergence of that species will refer to
this also. Specimens have been taken from the foliage of Hucalyptus
platyphylla and E. corymbosa. At dusk on the 24th December, 1912,
numbers of this species were observed flying round a clump of young
trees of the former food-plant growing in the forest. The flight lasted
for about ten minutes and then suddenly ceased. The shrubs were then
searched, beetles being found on each tree, all singly, none being noticed
nating; they were clinging to the edges of the leaves, forcing the beaks
deep into them. Thirteen specimens (ten males, three females)
were brought indoors, and enclosed in a wire cage; on last looking at
them at 10 p.m. they were still feeding. By next morning they were
hiding under dead leaves on the bottom of the cage, where they remained
during the day, coming out to feed again at twilight. None mated,
though they were kept for three days.

LEPIDIOTA Sp. No. 89.
THE EGG.

None obtained.

THE LARVA.

Only stage III. has been found, taken at Gordonvale on the
following dates :—February 15, March 31, April 16, June 23, July 11, 20,
August 12. 19. Also taken at Mossman March 22, October 31, November
21; and at Cooktown, February 28 and March 9.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILs.

There is little doubt that this species favours the red voleanic soils,
almost all our specimens having been taken in that kind of soil, only

40 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

odd individuals coming from black or clay loam or sand. Of a total of
63 larve from various collections, 54 came from red voleanie soil, 7 from
black or clay loam, and 2 from sand. The species has but once been
taken commonly, thirty odd larve being captured in a voleanic field,
Green Hills, Gordonvale, April 16, 1912.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO HABITAT,

A rather rare species, from Gordonvale, Mossman, and Cooktown,
North Queensland. At Cooktown, in February and March, 1914, the
larvee were rather abundant just beneath the surface, around the roots of
a native grass in jungle, gravelly soil, while one or two were obtained in
rich black loam soil beneath native grasses in forest. At Mossman, a
single specimen was found under a log in the jungle, and another beneath
a log in a meadow. Around Gordonvale the species is usually met with
in canefields, rarely in forest. Thus, of the Gordonvale total, 42 are
from canefields, 6 from a cornfield, and only 5 from the open forest.
Moreover, the voleanic soils, where the species was most common, have
once been jungle lands. From this data it would appear that No. 89
is a natural inhabitant of the Jungle. Upland and lowland soils are
infested. Our limited data show that around Gordonvale the former is
most frequently infested, but as most of the volcanic canefields are
upland this would thus be accounted for.

TERE): PAUIPsAS
None obtained, but a number of larve kept in captivity were in
earthen cells by August 20, the cells small, but otherwise lke those of
albohirta.

EMERGENCE AND HABITS OF ADULTS.

Adult unknown.

LEPIDIOTA DARWINI, Blackburn.
THE ADULT.

One adult taken from the soil in a canefield, 28th November, 1911,
and thousands swarming in Hucalyptus on edge of forest, 8 p.m., 23rd
November, 1912, both at Gordonvale, are our sole records of this species.

ISODON PUNCTICOLLIS Macleay.

The following records:—One adult caught at leht, February 5th,
1913; one adult in soil under grass, March 1ith, 1913; one adult reared
from pupa taken on March 12th, from black loam, under grass, March
18th, 1913; one adult taken from sandy loam, decayed cane, August
21st, 1913; and one adult taken from voleanie soil, canefield, September
22nd, 1913. All these records from Gordonvale. An adult reared on
March 18th lived in confinement, without food, till April 10th.

HAPLONYSHA Sp. (near bella).

On June 7th, 1912, larve were taken from forest land, and placed
in cages indoors; the larve were Dasygnathus, No. 377, No. 533, and
No. 587. When opened on November 20th, the cage contained a pupa
of No. 533, two larve of No. 377, and two adults of the above species.
On June 25th, 1912, larvee were taken from voleanic soil, canefield, and
placed in cages indoors; the larve were No. 533, No. 377, and No. 587.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 4]

From one of the small larva, an adult of the above species was reared

November 11th. These results seem to show that this spec th
adult of No. 587. pecies is the

On January 1st, 1913, adults were found at 9 a.m. feeding on the
young leaves of Eucalyptus corymbosa (?) at Gordonyale.
HAPLONYCHA Sp.

Two adults dug up in clay soil, jungle, Babinda, N. Fenn
11th, 1914. , N.Q., February

DASYGNATHUS AUSTRALIS DEJEANI Macleay.

THE EGG.
None obtained.
THE LARVA.
LENGTH OF THE STAGES.
Be At Gordonvale, the three stages have been obtained on the following
ates :—

Stage I. Stage IT. Stage TIT.
March 11 April 12, 29 | March 28
May 18, 20 | April 9, 20, a2 3 3f
June 9 | May 2, 3. Se dlaks 1s) “Ut, 26, 31
July 17, 30 June 2, 7, 18

August 7, 24 | July 6, 16, 30
September 9 | August 10

Also, Stage III. has been taken at Babinda, N.Q., February 11;
doubtful specimens of Stage I. at Goondi (Innisfail), N.Q., July 24;
Stage III. at Childers, 8.Q., July 1, and also at Murwillumbah, Tweed
River, N.S.W., May 20, 30. From this data we must conclude that
this is another of the species whose life-cycle continues over one year.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILS.

Our data show a proportionately large percentage of larve from
black or clay loams as compared with red voleanic soils, but owing to
their scantiness they cannot be allotted much importance. From all
collections where the quality of the soil was recorded, the larve are
divided as follows: —

Red Voleanic. Clay or Dark Loam.
23 Ale 84

Also 57,400 yards of plough furrows, red volegmic, yielded 9 larvee ;
38,590 yards plough furrows, clay or black loam, 52 2 larve.

In individual collections, numbers of larve were obtained only
from the black or clay loam, as the following table serves to show :—

Number of Grubs.
Collection Source of | ——t Average
Number. Collection. | ere ae Per Yard.
| Red Volcanic | peel |
es | Ee

1 ae 1,500 Me | 12 (clay) “008

2 seen 900 xe 8 (clay) -008

3 rie 1,680 ae | 16 (black) 00952

4 i 660 2 i 0030

| |

2 Se ee

49 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

DISTRIBUTION AS REGARDS HABITAT.

Distributed throughout the cane and forest lands in the vicinity
of Gordonvale. this species is not common. It has been found under
canestools, in ploughed canefields, in ploughed corn and grass fields,
beneath grasses, native and otherwise, and beneath logs, pieces of board,
&e., in forest and eultivated lands. It has also been found from virgin
jungle, Babinda, Cairns district, from ploughed canefields, red voleanic
soil, Childers, 8.Q., from ploughed paspalum and eane fields, Murwil-
lumbah, N.S.W., black-loam soil.

Of the total number collected around Gordonvale, 36 are from forest,.
erasses, &c., and 81 from cane.

Also, 33,000 yards plough furrows, forest, grasses, &e., yielded 2
larve; 61,670 yards plough furrows, canefields, 57 larve. Both sets of
data thus show a majority in ecanefields, but here again the records are
scanty and not of great value.

DISTRIBUTION IN UPLAND AND LOWLAND SOILS.

As is to be expected, since the rich black loams around Gordonvale:
are mostly lowlands, and the red voleanic soils are mostly upland, end
since the larve of this show, according to our data, a decided preference
for the loamy soils, upland soils yielded very few larve. Of our total
number, only 5 are from upland soils, 71 coming from lowland.

AM EUR let Uf e2A
None obtained.
MAK ADULT:

EMERGENCE.

Adults have been obtained in our cages on the following dates :——
October 4, 23, 27; November 12; December 1, 10, and 15. It has also:
been obtained on the following dates :—I rom soil near cane-roots, Finch-
Hatton (Mackay), N.Q., October 17; from soil in canefield, Gordonvale,
November 29; from soil beneath log in forest, Gordonvale, December 4;
from soil eight inches under surface, roadway, Gordonvale, October 15.
Nothing is known as to the habits of the species.

LENGTH OF LIFE OF BRED ADULTS.

A pair of adults found in one of our cages on October 31 was kept
for length of life; the male died on December 1, the female on December
12, both unfed.

No. 678.

The larve of this species has been found very plentifully in decaying
heaps of cane, ight sandy loam, around Gordonvale, from end of March
to end of August, all being in Stage III. One larva was found pupating
on August 24. The adult has not been reared, but is probably one of the
smaller brown or black scarabeids.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 43

CACACHROA DECORTICATA Macleay.
THE EGG,

LENGTH OF STAGE.

Lot Number. Se of Date Deposited. Hatched. | eke ea
ors Bc 3 Febuary 7-14 -. | By February 24 .. 10-17
eee oe 16 December 22-29 .. | By January 6 | 8-15
Ones 36 12 December 29-2 Jan. | By January 14-18 .. 12-20
Gh ro o 5 January 2-6 .. | By January 16-19 .. 10-17
5 a8 | 37 December 22-29 . | By January 7-10 .. 9-19
Gita. 20 5 December 29-2 Jan. | By January 14 5c 12-16

| Average 13°75

DURATION OF PERIOD OF OVIPOSITION.

Eggs have been obtained from beetles reared in confinement on all
dates from December 22 to January 6. The only eggs laid by beetles

taken in the forest and kept in confinement were obtained between
February 7-14, 1913.

DEPOSITION.

The eggs are deposited singly or in clusters of less than six, these
in confinement. No eggs have been obtained in their natural situation.

'

PERCENTAGE OF LARVA: REARED.

When obtained in confinement, the eggs “were placed in fine, sifted,.
damp earth, in glass vessels, at a depth of an inch or two. The following
table shows the percentage of mortality :—

- Number of Eggs Placed in Vessel (only -
Lot. Number. those in Apparently Good Condition). Larve Hatched.

[i .;. : 3 3
2 : 12 12
Gly Fass i 1 9
rt a ; 5 a)
5 : 37 | 20
Ge ie me 5 | 5
ee De oh 20 itil
Qin te 19 | i

lll 76 = 68:-468%

44 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

THE LARVA.

DEVELOPMENT.

The stages have been found on the following dates at Gordonvale :—

Stage ite | Stage ie Staze PTE:
January 6, 16 (reared) March 1, 4, 10, 18, 21, 26 Mareh TGS als BSS Paik ke 7,
February 4, 15 (reared) April 1,.2, 4, 7, 8, 25
February 2: Man, 13) 15; USS 265 3H
June Meee 2

duly 35°65 85 dui, 2i0
August 7, 12, 14, 31
September 9

October 28

October 23, 31 (indoors)
November 11 (indoors)
December 6 (indoors)

Also Stage III. has been obtained at Cooktown, March 1.

From this data it is quite evident that the life-cycle is completed
within the year.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILS.

Of a total number of 351 larve from all the collections where the
soil was recorded, 150 are from red voleanie soils, and 151 from black
or clay loam—that is, an even distribution. But a_ proportionate
ealeulation of the number of larve from the two soils gives a very
different ratio. Also, 57,400 yards of plough furrows, red voleanie
soil, yielded 138 grubs; 38,350 yards of plough furrows, loam, 19 grubs;
or 52,923: 10,906, or -002404 and -000495 larve per yard respectively.

DISTRIBUTION AS REGARDS HABIrat.

The larve of this species are very abundant in the vicinity of
Gordonvale, especially around the roots of the blady grass (Jmperata
arundinacea) and other forest grasses, where they are much more common
than in eanefields. Specimens were also taken at Cooktown beneath
Imperata. The species is therefore probably a native of the forest
lands of coastal North Queensland. It appears to be one of the few
Cetonids that does not live in decaying wood.

Of a total number of 322 larve from all eoilections from eane and
forest, they are distributed as follows :—
Cane. Forest, Grasses, &c.

58 00 264

Or a proportion of less than 1 to 4 from eane.

The following table confirms this preponderance in forest :—58,630
yards of plough furrows in cane yielded 39 grubs; 33,000 yards plough
furrows in forest, grasses, &¢., yielded 119 grubs; or 11,700: 54,427, or
000665 and 00360 larve per yard respectively.

The Cane Grubs of Australia.

>.
(|

From separate collections the following table is compiled :—

Number of Grubs.
Collection Number. Source of Collection. Saar ae = == Average per ard. Y
Gane: | Grasses, Corn,
inn Sa «&e.
Plough Furrows—Yds.

er ae 1,000 - 6 (forest) -006

2 wa 910 oe 7 (forest) 00769
3 : 600 oh | 13 (corn) | 0216
4 Se 1,260 aie 15 (corn) | -0125
5 oc 1,600 50 | 28 (corn) | ‘0175
6 one 5,760 on | 3) (corn) “00538
7 ae 1,260 5 | ete 00397
8 So 2,240 5 | 58 | -00223

DISTRIBUTION IN UPLAND AND LOWLAND.
Of 186 larve from collections from upland and lowland soils, they
are distributed as follows :—

Upland. Lowland.
77 se 109

But here again the data are far from conclusive.

Larva Livine In Dry Som For Lone Pertops.

That the larve of this species can live in dry soil for many weeks,
or even months, has been proved several times. A _ single instance
suffices. On March 12, seven Stage III. larve were placed in dry sifted
soil in a small flower-pot; the cage was not watered, but left on an
open veranda where the afternoon sun shone fully on it; on October 23
it was opened, six bectles in cocoons and one live larva being found.
Had the larve not been nearly full-grown it is doubtful whether they
would have survived. The full-grown larvae may cocoon and thus live
for weeks.

EEE PUPA.

LENGTH OF PUPAL STAGE.

We have secant data of the duration of the pupal stage. Larve have
been found in their cocoons as early as August 15, but it is probable they
remain some weeks thus before pupating. A pupating larva in a cocoon
taken from a cage on November 4 pupated and emerged on December 7,
which would serve to show that the pupal stage may last no longer than
a month. Pupe taken from cages in the first week of November, but
whose age was unknown, invariably emerged before December 7, and
most before the end of November.

MANNER OF FORMATION.
All the pupze we have examined were in well-defined oval cocoons,
and were not enclosed by the larval cast.

DEPTH AT WHICH FORMED.
In confinement, in wooden boxes with about a foot of soil, the

46 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

cocoons were always found within an inch or two of the bottom of the
eage. We have no records of pupe found in the fields.

DURATION OF PERIOD OF PUPATION.

Pup have been obtained in confinement, on the following dates :—
October 10, 27, 31; November 4, 6, 15; December 5.

But the stage evidently commences early, earler than the earliest
recorded date, as reared beetles have been obtained as early as October
23; thus, giving a month for the length of the pupal stage, we have had
pupx as early as September 23.

THE ADULT.

EMERGENCE, LENGTH OF LIFE AFTER EMERGENCE.

In 1912-13 season, adults were first noted on December 12, thence
right through January to middle of February. In season 1913-14, they
were first observed on December 22, but none were seen after the end
of January. On February 7 five adults were brought in from the forest
and kept in captivity; the first died on February 12, the last on February
21. A single adult was found emerged on the surface of a cage, June 18,
but this was only an isolated case.

BEHAVIOUR OF REARED ADULTS.

As in Lepidiota albohirta and probably most other scarabeids, the
adults of this species remain for many days in the earth before
emergence. They do not even break the cocoon walls, but linger in a
semi-dormant stage inside the cocoons. Thus six beetles found in cocoons
on October 23 were still unemerged by November 11. From the actual
transformation from the pupa to the adult, till its death, several months
may elapse. Thus an adult reared on December 7 lived until February 3;
a second reared on November 20 did not die until January 23. These
reared beetles do not always reach a normal state of activity, though
such is usually the case. For example, a pair of beetles reared about
December 6 became actively alive by December 22. They were kept in
a damp earth, without food, but mated, and the first eggs were obtained
by December 29, the last on January 6; the female died on January 19,
the male on January 31. Several similar instances were recorded, plainly
showing that this species will mate and propagate without ever flying or
without having had food; also that the female may live as long as two
weeks after having finished egg-laying. This species, therefore, forms
a striking contrast to Lepidiota albohirta, no reared adults of which
reached a normally active state or went through the process of repro-
duction. Adults of this or a close ally were observed on flowers of the
‘*fir-tree,’’ growing in the bed of Cape River at: Pentland, N.Q., in
September.

DURATION OF EGG-LAYING PERIOD OF REARED ADULTS.

The egg-laying period of a reared adult may last for several days.
The following table plainly establishes this facet :—

Number of
Reared Females.

First Eggs Obtained. Last Eggs Obtained. cheer ;

| Days.

i se -.- | December 29 a - | January 6 50 ac 8
oars + | December 26 ..| January 2 ee ad 7
3 | January 7 ene .. | January 14 360 3 7

4 ae .. | January 13 aie .. | January 19 A 30 6

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 47

NuMBER oF Ea@es Laip sy REARED ADULTS.
The following table summarises our data :—

Number of Reared Females. | Eggs Laid. Eggs per Female.
1 are Sc 56 33 33 a
2 5c 56 50 42 2]
a 50 ae 56 39 13=Average, 19

Thus one female may lay as many as 33 eggs, though the average
number is considerably less.

BEHAVIOUR OF ADULTS IN NATURE.

During the hot summer days of December and January the adults
are very plentiful in the forested areas around Gordonvale. They may
be seen flying round and round, low over patches of blady grass
(Imperata), and individual specimens or mated pairs can be found
clinging to the grass-stems. Flowering trees such as Hucalyptus sp. (an
unknown species known commonly as the Box) and Melaleuca are
frequented by them in Jarge numbers, the species easily outnumbering all
other flower-feeding bectles on these trees. Numerous mated pairs may
be found among the flowers. A sharp shake given to a frequented tree
causes the beetles to drop, and then fly before they reach the ground.
They fly with great rapidity, and without lifting the elytra, shooting the
wings out horizontally and at right. angies to the body. There is much
individual variaticn in the size of the white markings on the thorax,
elytra, and venter of abdomen, but the females can be distinguished
rather readily by their larger size, and the much smaller size of the light
markings, these being sometimes almost wholly wanting. Fresh speci-
mens taken from cocoons are of a rich chestnut brown colour, but after
a day or two turn black.*

CETONID Sp. No. 46.

Our sole record of this species is as follows:—Three larvie, in two
stages, taken from decayed log on floor of jungle, Mundoo (Innisfail),
N.Q., January 15, 1912.

No. 71.

Four Stage III. larve taken from under a termite’s nest, Bundaberg,
S.Q., March 9, 1912. This is our only record.

No. 539.

A single larva of an unknown stage from roots of native grasses in
jungle, Cooktown, N.Q., February 28, 1914.

No. 349.

Seattered not uncommonly in cane rubbish-heaps, sandy loam,
around Gordonvale, and feeding on the decayed wood therein. Stage
III. larve have been obtained on the following dates:—April 17, 23;
May 9, 23; August 4, 7, 12, 19, 24. A supposed Stage I. larva was
found on March 27. The beetle remains unconnected.

* The adults of the same or a closely allied species were common on fir bushes in
flower in the bed of Cape River, Pentland, Queensland, September, 1914.

48 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

XYLOTRUPES AUSTRALICUS Thomson.
THE EGG.

None obtained.

TEE) TAR VA.
DEVELOPMENT OF STAGES.

The stages have been obtained at Gordonvale on the following
gates:—

Stage I. Stage IT. Stage III,
July 27 June 26 May 1, 12
August 4 July 24, 27 June 13, 26
August 4, 6, 12, 19, 24 July 14, 27

August 4, 7, 12, 15, 19, 25, 29
September 1

October 7

November 25

Also Stage HII. in confinement, throughout September, October,
November, December, January, and also at Innisfail, October. From
these records it would seem that the species has a life-cycle of more than
one year.

HABITAT.

The larve are very plentiful around Gordonvale, in heaps of cane
trash or rubbish, being rarely met with in other locations. Our only
other records are as follows:—From grass adjoining cane, Gordonvale,
November 25, 1911; from red soil (cane ?), Innisfail, October, 1911;
from a garden, Gordonvale, June, 1912; from red volcanic soil, forest,
Gordonvale, May 1, 1914. It has also been taken from canefields rarely.

PMU Dag Ulevals

In our breeding cages, pupx# have been obtained from November 18,
through December and January, into February, and perhaps even later ;
thus the pupating period is spread over three or more months. Of one
batch of larve found on August 17, a few had pupated by the end of
November, while others did not pupate until January.

Larve taken from cages on November 27 had pupated and emerged
by January 19. <A larva taken from a cage on October 29 pupated, and
emerged on December 15. These records show that the pupal stage
lasts less than seven weeks. The pupe are not enclosed in the larval skin,
and lie in large oval cells.

THE ADULT.

EMERGENCE.

In confinement the first adult was obtained on December 4, thence
right through to March, though the greater majority emerged during
December and the first half of January.

Outdoors adults have been found on the following dates:—9th
December, 1912; 12th March, 1913; 12th January, 1914; locality,
Gordonvale.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 49

PROPORTION OF THE SExzEs.
Of our total number of reared beetles, 14 were females and 31 males.

Hasirs, &c.

Adults of this species not infrequently fly to lights. They can be
found in large numbers feeding on the young branches of the cultivated
tree Poinciana. A native food-plant is a species of Philanthus, adults
having been seen on the younger stems of this tree growing on the banks
of the Mulgrave River, Gordony ale. A specimen was found chewing
a decayed piece of cane on the ground, March 12, 1913, Gordonvale.

Foop or LARVA.

On 28th July, 1914, at Gordonvale, digging in a rubbish-heap,
clay loam near river, produced several Stage id larvee, one of which
had its head buried in the dead branch of a tree, the mouth-parts full
of sawdust. The soil surrounding was infiltrated with bits of dead
wood; living vegetation scanty. The larve habitually feed upon decom-
posed vegetable matter in the soil.

CALLOODES GREYANUS White. No. 655.
THE EGG.

LENGTH OF STAGES.

The following table shows the length of the stage; the eggs were
deposited by a single female:

| |
Tot Number. ines of Date Deposited. | Date Hatched. ie ene nee
1 56 5 February 16-29 .. | By March 6 14-18
2 30 18 February 20-21 .. | By March 6-8 13-16
3 56 2 March 26-27 .. | By April 12-14 ae 16-19
Average aie: 16 days.
THE LARVA.
DEVELOPMENT.

The stages have been found on the following dates at Gordonvale —

Stage I. | Stage IT. Stage ITT.
March 6, 8, 12 (reared) April 13 June 26
April 14, 30 (reared) | July 4

August 15, 17
September 5

Our data are not sufficient to show how long the life-cycle lasts.

HABITAT,

A_ species inhabiting the almost pure sand of the river-bed at
Gordonvale, in which situation it is rather plentiful. It has not been
found in any other sites. Reared larve, when placed in sifted loamy or
organic soils, died within a month,

D -

50 Fhe Cane Grubs of Australia.

PEE EU A.

A single one found in sand, October. Like Anoplognathus, No. 434
and No. 576, the pupa hes enclosed in the larval skin, which is split its
entire length down the meson of dorsum; the pupa hes with its dorsum
against the venter of the east larval skin. It is quite possible to identify
the species from this larval skin, which remains in perfect condition,
and ean be handled freely if care is taken. A second pupa found in
sand, 29th October, emerged 11th November.

AMER DY GID IOIDke
EMERGENCE.

An adult reared on October 30, from a pupa found in sand, is
our sole reeord of the time of emergence. Beetles have been captured
in the forest on the following dates:—February 5, 26, March 12, 16,
Deeember 24, 1913; January 11, March 31, April 12, 16, 1914; locality,
Gordonvale.

Hasits, Foop-Puants, &c.

Odd specimens are sometimes taken at light. A few have been
found on foliage of forest trees, always singly or in pairs, never in
numbers. The known food-plants are Melaleuca and bloodwood
(Hucalyptus corymbosa (?)).

LENGTH oF LIFE.

Adults captured in the forest, and kept in cages with sifted damp
earth, and leaves of their food-plant, have lived as follows :—

When Captured. Died. Length of Life—Days.
February 11 oe ae .. | February 26 30 40 50 15
February 26 ae ye .. | March 10 20 aie oc 12
March 15 a We -. | March 30 ate me on 15
March 16 te a0 -. | March 31 ais als am 15

An adult reared from a pupa on November 11, and kept in confine-
ment without food, died December 13,

NuMBER oF Haas Lan, &c.

A single female was captured on February 13, and kept in confine-
ment in a tumbler with sifted earth. Until February 16 no eggs had
been laid; between then and morning of the 20th five eggs were laid;
another egg was found at 5 p.m. the same day; at 8 a.m. 21st seventeen
more eggs were deposited; and a final batch of five at 5 p.m. the same
day. Thus twenty-eight eggs were laid in a period of not more than five
days, twenty-two being deposited in twenty-four hours, or seventeen in
lifteen hours. The beetle lived until the 26th. The eggs were laid singly
or in clusters of two or three. A female caught at light on April 12
contained eggs in the ovary.

No. 484,—REPSIMUS Z2NEUS Fabricius

; THE EGG.
None obtained. at

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 51

THE LARVA.
DEVELOPMENT or STAGES.

ry ri .
The stages have been obtained at Gordonvale on the following
dates :—

Stage I. Stage IT. Stage IIT.

July 7 March 26 March 12, 26
April 13 April 8, 13, 22
May 7 May 7
July 7, 23 June 30
July 7
August 3, 24
September
October
November 6 (reared)

Also Stage Til. at Mossman, N.Q., March 19. These data are not
sufficient to decide the length of the life-cycle.

FTABirat.

Around Gordonvale this species is rather common in the eane
rubbish-heaps near the Mulgrave River, the soil somewhat sandy; and
less abundant im the pure sand of the river-bed in company with No.
655. It is oceasionally found in eanefields, as the following records
show :—From wet clay loam, ecanefields, Gordonvale, April 15, 1913;
from sandy soil, under cane-stool, Gordonvale, May 7, 1912; from cane-
field, alluvial soil, Gordonvale, April 8, 1912; from alongside road,
erawling over surface of ground, Mossman, March 19, 1912.

PELE PUPA:
A single pupating larva from the sand of a river-bed, pupated on
August 18. The pupa was enclosed in the larval skin, as in No. 655.
Pupe have also been taken from sand and sandy rubbish-heaps on

ON

August 24, September 15, and November 24.

THE ADULT.
EMERGENCE.
Tn confnement, adults have been reared on the following dates :—

August 26, September 22, November 24. A single beetle was caught at

a light, Gordonvale, February 5, 1913. Nothing is known farther.

No. 576.
THE EGG.

None obtained. \

59 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

THE LARVA.
DEVELOPMENT OF STAGES.

The stages have been recorded at Gordonvale on the following
dates :—

Stage I. Stage IT. Stage III.
July 8 April 13 June 16, 30
June 16, 30 July 7, 23, 28
July 8, 28 August 15, 17, 23
August 15, 17, 22, 25 September 5, 10
October
November 25, 26 (indoors)

From this scanty data it cannot be determined how long the life-
eycle lasts. It will, however, probably be found to be longer than one
vear, since Stage If. larve in August cannot be expected to conclude
the life-cycle by the end of the year. The larve have been found in
almost pure sand in the bed of the Mulgrave River, but not elsewhere.

MELE WPI Ac

No pupe have been obtained, though pupating larvee have been taken
from our cages on November 25 and December 18.

THE ADULT.

The adult of this species is net connected with the larva. It possibly
is Horonotus optatus Sharp, a species which has been reared from cages
containing supposed larve of No. 576 only.

ANOPLOGNATHUS BOISDUVALI Boisd.
THE EGG.
LENGTH OF STAGE.

Lot Number. pa ria pi Date Deposited. | Date Hatched. | papers tae
1 60 11-15 December .. | 22-29 December .. | 7-18
2 23 16-22 December .. | By 2 January | 11-17
3 6 _ 1-6 January .. | 15-18 January 40 9-17
4 44 | 20-30 December .. | By 14 January (larve 15-25
| several days old)
5 63 | 20-30 December .. | By 14 January x 15-25

Excluding the last two records, which are not exact enough, we
obtain an average of 13-16 days; including the last two records the
average is 15-9 days. The length of the stage is probably between the
two averages, namely 14-53 days.

DURATION OF PERIOD OF OVIPOSITION.
Eggs have been obtained from November 3 to January 6.

MANNER OF DEPOSITION.
In confinement, eges are laid single or in clusters of from two to six.
None have been obtained out of doors.

The Cane Grubs of Australia.

>)

Gs

PERCENTAGE OF LARVa HATCHED.

When obtained in confinement, the eggs were placed in fine, sifted,
damp earth, in glass vessels, at a dept of an inch or two. The following
table shows the percentage of mortality :—

Lot Number. Number of Eggs Placed in Vessel. Larve Hatched.
MM

1 ae 44 | 20
0) saa - 63 18
3 O0 30 6 | 4
4 OO oie 55 31
5 20 ole 23 21
——_—_ | —
191 | 94

= 49.215 per cent. reared.

THE LARVA.
DEVELOPMENT.

The stages have been found on the following dates at Gordonvale :—

Stage I. | Stage IT. Stage ITT.
November 22 (reared) | March 16, 18, 23, 24, | Mareh lie 132 18s 25" 24096:
December 23, 29 (reared) | April Tis MMOs MGs UG. eee Ae 28
January 2, 15, 18 (reared) | May 8, 6, 12 April 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 22
March 26 June 1, 5, 15, 30 | May 2, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21,
April 8, 17, 18 July 1, 6, 8, 11, 21, 31 28

August 3, 4, 7, 12, 22 | June 1, 4, 7, 15, he 24, 26, 30
October 10, 27 (in cages) | July 1, 6, 8, 1 5, 20
November 6 (in cages) August 3, 5, 7, ata 21, 27
September : 2
October 7

December 24

October 6, 24, 27, 31
November 7, 12, 20, 26
December 6, 8, 17, 29
January 6

———$———

‘In confine-
ment

Also, Stage I. at Normanby, near Cooktown, N.Q., 5th February,
at Babinda 27th January; Stage II. at Normanby 5th February, at
Babinda, N.Q., 25th August, at Mossman, N.Q., 19th March, at Murwil-
lumbah, Tweed River, and Harwood, Clarence River, N.S.W., May;
Stage III. at Normanby, N.Q., 5th F ebruary, at Mossman, N. Q., 23rd
March, at Childers, S.Q., Ist July, at Murwillumbah, Tweed River, and
Harwood, Clarence River, N.S.W., May; at Babinda, N.Q., 27th January.

From these data it is obvious that the species has a life-cycle of more
than one year. Thus Stage II. larve confined on 21st April were still
in Stage IT. on 11th November and similar records. These larve could
not pass through Stage IIT., pupate and emerge, the same season or
hardly so.

54 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

DISTRIBUTION IN REGARD TO SOILS.

Of our total number of larve of this species from Gordonvale of
which record was kept concerning the soils, they are distributed as
follows :—

Red Volcanic. Clay and Black Loam. Sandy Loam,

84 ae 805 os 841

But of the middle column 643 were collected from one field. Thus the
larvee are commonest around Gordonvale, in the mixed sandy and loamy
soils (not sand), near the Mulgrave River.

The following records show more truly the relative abundance in
red voleanic and clay or black-loam soils:—60,700 yards of plough
furrows, red voleanic soil, yielded 45 larve; 38,350 yards of plough
furrows, clay and black loam, yielded 42 larve; = -000757 and -001095
larve per yard respectively.

DISTRIBUTION AS REGARDS HABITAT.

The larva of this species has been found by us in various districts
throughont coastal Queensland, as far as the Clarence River in New
South Wales. It is very common around Gordonvale, where it has been
found in various situations—namely, in upland and lowland, voleanie¢
and clay or black ioam, forest, various grasses, and canefields; in natural
jungle, beneath logs, &., beneath heaps of decayed cane; in sandy loam,
near the river; under native grasses in forest on coast range, 800 ft.

Of our total number of larve from Gordonvale of which record was
kept concerning the habitat, they are distributed as follows :—

Canefields, Forest, Grasses, Corn, Rubbish, Decayed Cane, Dead
G i ane. qi x 2 Vegetable Matter, with no
rowing Cane Fallow Land. Living Vegetation.

873 99 826

But of those from cane 643 were collected in one field.

The following records show the relative number of grubs from
eanefields as opposed to fallow jand, grasses, forest or corn lands :—
65,000 yards of plough furrows, canefields, yielded 90 larve; 35,000
yards of plough furrows, forest, grasses, &c., 19 larve; or -001385 and
-00057 grubs per yard respectively. Upland and lowland soils are both
infested, but our data are not sufficient to show the relative proportions.

THE PUPA.
LENGTH OF PUPAL STAGE.

Our data do not allow us to give the length of the pupal stage,
Probably it is similar to allied species.

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 55

MANNER OF FORMATION.

The pupa is enclosed in an irregular earthen cell, as in the Lepidiotas
and others, but the sast of larva envelops it, as in Calloodes greyanus and
No. 434. In confinement, larve have been found in cells as early as
August 27, but they may remain thus some time before pupating.

DeptH at wHicH FoRMED.

Seceral pupe found in sandy loam near the river at a depth of about
2 feet; one from same situation at i4 inches; one in forest, uncultivated
land, at 6 inches.
DURATION OF PERIOD ofr PUPATION.

Tn confinement, pupze have been obtained on the following dates :-—
October 21, 27, 28, 31; November 12, 19, 26; December 10; January 5,
30. In nature, pupe were found on the following dates:—October 15,
21, 25; November 4.

THE ADULT.

EMERGENCE.

In confinement, adults have been taken from our rearing cages on
the following dates :—October 23, 25, 27; November 7, 10, 12, 17, 20, 22,
25, 28; December 8. Adults have been ploughed or dug up from eane-
fields and elsewhere as follows:—October 21, 22, 24; November 13;
December 16. Adults have been captured in the forest on the following
dates :—October 28; November 20, 28, 30; December 10, 12, 16, 19;
January 2, 7, 12; February 5, 12; March 10, 20, 29. One adult was
found dead on ground in the jungle at Normanby, N.Q., February 5.

LENGTH OF LIFE.
The following table summarises our data :—

Lot No. Number of Beetles. Found. Died. Length of Life—

Days.
il ae (unemerged) ..| Nov. 7| December 10 .. ac oe 33
2 1 g (unemerged) ..| Dec. 5 December 11 36 ais 8
3 2¢29 (unemerged)! Oct. 24 | November 2 (3), November 13 9, 20
1
4 2 Bi 2 Q (unemerged)} Oct. 22 | October 31, 24; November 4, 9, 13, 14
EO; November 5, 1 Q
5 ie (unemerged)| Nov. 13| December 11, ¢; December | 28, 39
22, 0
6 5 g 8 © (emerged) | Oct. 28) 4 g, November 3 ; Ueerd 10) ] pews)
November 4
ee Wate Su ieee 2
2Q, November 6; 1 Q, De \\s 25, 41
cember 8,1; Q |
December 26, 1 ot January | 59, 62
4,1 Q ; November 22 68
7 1 g 1 Q (unemerged) Nov. 12} ¢, December 27; Q January 4 45, 53
8 1 4 1 Q (emerged) | Dec. 12 | December 28 te as 16
S) 5g 5Q (emerged).. | Dec. 19| 49, 5, December 29;-19, 10, 15

January 3

From these records it will be seen that the female lives longer than the
male,

56 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

PROPORTION OF THE SEXES.

We have not made many large collections of adults, and hence our
data on the relative number of the sexes is not conclusive. The following
table sums up our data :—

| Beetles.
Coliection Number. Source of Collection. | Le
Males. Females.
il ae .. Miscellaneous collections from forest .. | 19 93
2 at .. Miscellaneous bred adults ee ate 17 15
3 sf .. Collected in forest iG at ote 106 | 52
4 in .. Collected in forest a aus cee 30 | 24
5 aL .. Collected in forest a cae Aen 32 30
204 144

== 58-6 per cent. males; 41-4 per cent. females.

DURATION OF HGG-LAYING PERIOD OF ADULTS.

Adults eaptured in the forest, and kept in captivity, have laid eggs
on the following dates :—

Duration of
First Eggs Obtained. Last Eggs Obtained. Egg-laying
Period— Days.

Number of Females.

or

DAEebEE 22 oa .. | January 4 a ae 13

{

ie

2s ember 15 ‘e .. | December 22 A we 7
ae

NuMBER OF EGGS LAID BY ADULTS.

Adults captured in forest, and kept in confinement, in cages
containing damp sifted earth, and supplied with leaves, deposited eggs
as follows :—

Number of Females. Eggs Laid. Eggs per Female.
4 91 22-75
5) 120 24
Average = 23-4

BEHAVIOUR OF REARED ADULTS.

Adults reared in confinement almost always remained in a dormant
or semi-dormant state until death, never mating, and rarely becoming
active cnough to devour the fresh leaves given them.

BEHAVIOUR OF ADULTS IN NATURE.

Around Gordonvale the adults are very common in December and
less abundant in November and January, being rarely seen in the other
months mentioned in the emergence records—viz., Oetober, February,
and March. They feed almost solely on the young trees of the Poplar

The Cane Grubs of Australia. 57

Gum (Eucalyptus platyphylla), and usually on trees not more than
20 feet high, grown examples being occasionally attacked. They are
voracious feeders, and quickly defoliate the young trees, numbers congre-
gating on one. During the day they remain clinging to the leaves of
the food-plant, and pairs are not uncommon. A sharp jerk to the feed-
ing-tree causes the beetles to drop, when they bury themselves under any
débris present; sometimes they fly. On one or two oceasions, individuals
have been observed flying strongly during the day, but the species is
nocturnal in its habits.

The only other food-plant known is the Blue Gum (Eucalyptus
teretifolia). This is a very rare tree around Gordonvale. Several of
these trees were noticed on January 12, 1914, on the banks of the
Mulgrave River, greatly damaged by adults of Anoplognathus boisdu-
valu. The trees were of considerable size (30-50 feet high) and the
beetles were in large numbers.

Odd adults have been taken at lights.

No. 671.
Several larvee by ploughing canefield, red volcanic soil, upland,
Childers, 8.Q., July 1, 1914. Nothing more is known of the species.

No. 667.
A single larva by ploughing, canefield, red volcanic soil, upland,
‘Childers, 8.Q., July 1, 1914, This is our sole record.

No. 653.

Several larve by ploughing canefield, Murwillumbah, Tweed River,
N.S.W., dark loam soil, upland, under Paspalum grass, May, 1914;
several by ploughing grass in fallow land, canefield, dark loam soil,
lowland, Harwood, Clarence River, N.S.W., May, 1914; and two by
ploughing canefield, red volcanic soil, upland, Childers, 8.Q., July 1,

1914.

No. 646.

A rare species. It has been obtained as larva at Gordonvale on the
following dates:—February 23, March 26, June 4, August 12; also at
Cooktown, March 9. At Gordonvale the following habitats have been
recorded :—From dark clay loam, forest, red volcanic soil, forest; from
roots of Imperata grass; from cornfield, dark voleanic soil, lowland.
Also, at Cooktown, one specimen from rich black loam under native

grasses in forest.

No. 607.

Like No. 646, this is a rare species. It has been obtained as larva at
Gordonvale on the following dates:—March 23, 27, April 3, 29, May 2,
June 4; also at Cooktown, February 28, March 1. The following situa-
tions have been recorded at Gordonvale:—From forest, dark clay loam,

E

58 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

lowland; from red voleanic soil, forest, 350 feet; from forest, red
volcanic soil, lowland; from yellow clay, natural forest; from roots of
Imperata grass; from under log, grass in field. Also at Cooktown, from
under native grasses in jungle, lowland, and from roots of Jmperata
grass alongside a roadway.

No. 609.

Not common, but not so rare as either No. 607 or No. 646. It has
been recorded at Gordonvale on the following dates:—February 28,
March 138, April 22, June 14, July 17, 20, August 11, 14, 26; also at
Cooktown February 28. It has been obtained from the following situa-
tions at Gordonvale :—From under piece of bark on floor of forest; from
forest, dark clay leam, lowland; from roots of cane, red volcanic soil;
from fallow ground, grass, lowland; by ploughing ecanefield, dark vol-
canic soil, upland; by ploughing cornfield, dark volcanic soil, lowland;
by ploughing grass and weeds, black loam soil, lowland. Also at Cook-
town, from under native grasses in jungle, lowland.

The New South Wales specimens, which differ from the North
Queensland ones, were obtained as follows:—By following plough, cane-
fields, under Paspalum grass, May, 1914, four specimens, Harwood,
Clarence River.

No. 364.

One of the dung-feeding series. The larve have often been found,
excased in earthen spheres, at varying depths (usually 2 feet or more)
canefields and grass lands, in the neighbourhood of Gordonvale.

No. 587.

Known only from the vicinity of Gordonvale, where it is not
uncommon. Much of our data on this species are valueless, since we
had confused it with No. 650. The records given, however, are authentic.
The stages have been recorded on the following dates :—

Stage I. Stage IT. Stage ITI.
Nil. March 25 March 31

April 21 Apuil 1, 15, 17, 21, 24

May 25 May 1, 25

October 23 (indoors) June 25
August 26
September 4
November 13

It has been observed in the following locations :—Voleanic soil, canefield,
four separate records; forest, clay loam, four separate records; forest,
red voleanic soil, three separate records; forest, red volcanic soil, 350
feet; roots of the grass Chrysopogon aciculatus, one record each. The
adult is unknown.

The Cane Grubs-of Australia. 59

No. 650.
This species has been confused with the preceding, so much of our

3)

data have proved useless. The stages have been recorded on the follow-
ing dates at Gordonvale:

Stage I. | Stage II. Stage III.
3
Nil April 1, 14, 238 | January 19
May 30
July 16

August 12, 17, 20, 26

Also Stage II. at Cooktown, February 2. Larvze have been obtained
from the following situations:—(1) From canefields, red volcanic soil,
four records; (2) from cornfields, red volcanic soil, one record; (3) from
grass and weeds, ploughing, dark loam, one record; (4) from canefield,
dark loam, three records; (5) from under log in forest, one record;
(6) from roots of Cynodon and Chrysopogon grasses, one record; (7)
ploughing forest, dark loam, one record. Also in soil under log, forest,
Cooktown, one specimen.

ANGMALA AUSTRALASIA Blackburn.

Three unknown larve of a scarabeid were taken from under cow-
dung in forest, April 15, 1912, and placed in damp sifted earth in a
flower-pot. The cage was opened November 11, two larve being found;
one died shortly afterwards, the other pupated and emerged on December
24. It was this species.

Adults have been captured as follows:—Two at lights, December
11, 1912; one at light, December 17, 1913; one from foliage of banana,
December 19, 1913. All records made at Gordonvale.

PENTODON AUSTRALIS Blackburn.

The following records:—Two adults from canefield, apparently
boring into stalks of cane, January 24, 1912, Mackay, N.Q. (L. G:
McCready); four adults reported to be eating shoots from cane-plants
underground, Gordonvale, July 16, 1913; two adults following plough
in grass, canefield, Harwood, Clarence River, N.S.W.,.May, 1914; one
adult from canefield, Mackay, N.Q., April 2, 1912 (D. H. Walker).

MASTOCHILUS AUSTRALASIZ Perch.

A dead adult found within a decayed log in jungle, Innisfail, N.Q.,
January 15, 1912.

CLADOGNATHUS TORRENSIS Deyr.

A female, doubtfully this species, caught at lght, Gordonvale,
February 2, 1913.

NESO PLANICOLLIS Blackburn.
A single specimen caught at light, Gordonvale, February 2, 1913.

60 The Cane Grubs of Australia.

LIPARETRUS ATRICEPS Macleay.

In November, 1913, while examining a number of cages containing
searabeid larvae, and kept sunken in the earth in the laboratory yards,
numbers of adults of this species were found. Their presence was no
doubt merely incidental. On December 12, 1913, at Gordonvale, during
the morning, great numbers were found feeding on the young foliage of
Eucalyptus platyphylla and E. corymbosa (?).

EMANOPTERUS DEPRESSIUSCULUS Macleay.

The following records:—Five adults found in soil under cane,
Gordonvale, October 7, 1913; one adult, reared from larve found in
canefield, July 27, and kept in confinement, October 19, 1913; one adult
reared from a pupa found in soil under rubbish, November 1, 1913.

HORONOTUS OPTATUS Sharp.

One adult reared from a pupa found in sand under rubbish, Gordon-
vale, October 8, 1913; one adult reared from larve taken from the sand
of a river-bed, September 9, and kept in confinement, December 29, 1913,
Gordonvale. Probably the adult of larva No. 576.

wu) ot

ANTHONY JAMES CUMMING, Government Printer, Brisbane.

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