. Insect pests of farm, garden and orchard . PiG. 129.—Sphenophorus ochreus, larva, aduh, and work in roots of Scirpiis.(After F. M. Webster, Insect Life.) to three weeks, adult beetles emerging from the middle of Augustto the first of October. One of the most injurious species to corn is S. ochreus life history is much the same as that of S. parvulus, thougheggs have been found as late as July 30th. The natural food-plantof this species, however, is the common club-rush (Scirpus fluvia-tilis), the roots of which consist of bulbs connected by smallerslender roots. The eggs are deposite
. Insect pests of farm, garden and orchard . PiG. 129.—Sphenophorus ochreus, larva, aduh, and work in roots of Scirpiis.(After F. M. Webster, Insect Life.) to three weeks, adult beetles emerging from the middle of Augustto the first of October. One of the most injurious species to corn is S. ochreus life history is much the same as that of S. parvulus, thougheggs have been found as late as July 30th. The natural food-plantof this species, however, is the common club-rush (Scirpus fluvia-tilis), the roots of which consist of bulbs connected by smallerslender roots. The eggs are deposited in or about the roots of thisrush, never having been found on corn. The bulbs of the rush arevery hard and oftentimes as large as hens eggs. In them the INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CORN 177 larvae burrow, becoming full grown and transforming to pupae,from which the adult beetles appear in August and the rush l^ecomes too hard for the beetles they often attacka common reed (Phragmites comtnunis), piercing and splitting. Fig. 130.—Sections of sugar-cane showing work of Sphenophorus obscurus:a, larva; b, pupa; c, probable points of oviposition. (.\fter Riley andHoward, Insect Life.) lengthwise the unfolded terminal leaves, and eating out the suc-culent portions within. The injury to corn is done by the beetleswhile the corn is still young, feeding upon it in the same manneras do the other species. Standing with the head downward andthe feet embracing the lower part of the stalk, says Dr. Forbes, they slowly sink the beak into the plant, using the jaws to make 178 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD the necessary perforation. By moving forward and backwardand twisting to the right and left, the beetle will often hollow out acavity beneath the surface much larger than the superficial injurywill indicate. As the lower part of the stalk becomes hardened,they leave it for the terminal portion, and when the ears commenceto form the} often penetrate the husk and gorge
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