The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1914-08-21
Guard Against
the May Beetles

II is Of the greatst Importance that
farmers properly handle their fields
this fall and next spring to prevent
a repetition Of the enormous losses
from May Beetles, or so called June
bugs, occasioned in 1912, when the
bug pest caused many millions Of dol
lars damage.
The bugs were extremely abundant
the past spring in northwestern Iowa,
southern Wisconsin, and northern IL
linois, parts of Minnesota, and south
ern part of Michigan and northern
Ohio; also in northwestern Pennsyl-
vania, southeastern New York, parts
of Connecticut and New Jersey This
is Indicative of great abundance of
white grubs in 1915, and judging
from the greater abundance of bee
ties in most Of these sections this
spring than three years ago, the grub
injury will be even greater than in
1912. Injury can be reduced to a
minimum by adopting the following
practices:
In the sections above mentioned the
important economic species have a
three year life cycle, that is, beetles
appearing in the spring Of 1914 de-
post eggs which hatch about a month
after being laid. The young grub
feeds on roots and decaying matter,
but seldom do damage during their
first year. However, the following
year (1915 in the case Of the destruc-
tive brood under discussion) they are
living roots, preferably corn, timothy,
potatoes, strawberries, ETC., causing
larger and feed almost entirely on
great loss when abundant The fol-
lowing spring (1916) they feed more
ortless but by June LIST or shortly
thereafter they make earthern cells,
become semi-dormant and in fort
night or longer change to a brown
pupae, and a month later to adult
beetles, in which condition they re-
main in the soil until the next spring
(1917). N3 7
The beetles lay their eggs in land
covered with vegetation at the time, OF
their fights MAY and June), con-
sequently land in small grain, tim
othy, and such crops, which cover the
ground, as we'll as land overgrown
with weeds at that time, are most
likely to be infested the following
year. It is also noticeable that
ground nearest timber will be heaviest
infested, other conditions being equal,
since the parent beetles feed on tree
foliage and do not fly great distances
if they can find suitable places to lay
their eggs nearby.
Fields likely to be infested with the
grubs should be thoroughly plowed be-
tween September IS and October 10.
The date of plowing will depend upon
the weather conditions for the grubs
20 down as cold weather approaches
and it is desirable to plow the field
Just before they go down, when pos
sible. If the grubs are abundant,
hogs should be allowed to run in the
field whenever this can be done. Al
so chickens and turkeys are valuable
aids if they are allowed the run Of
the plowed ground If it is impos-
sible to make use of hogs to rid the
infested fields Of grubs, a deep and
thorough disking should follow the
plowing and in 1915 only crops least
susceptible to injury, such as small
grains, buckwheat, clover, vetch, etc.,
should be planted, and by no means
should susceptible crops such as corn,
timothy, and potatoes be planted.
While fall plowing should be prac-
ticed and is of great value for destroy
ing grubs, nevertheless it cannot be
depended upon soley to eradicate
grubs. Cornfelds which were kept
cultivated and free from an under
growth of weeds in Many and June
of 1914 may, with reasonable safety
be planted to corn or potatoes in 1915,
although it is advisable to inspect the
field first for grubs. While it is i'm
portant at this time, in those selec-
tions where the grub will be abundant,
to adopt this rotation for the coming
year, even though it may become nec-
essary to assist the second successive
crop with artificial fertilizer. 3
Proper precautions and planning OF
rotations for next year at this time
will save many thousands Of dollars
in crops which otherwise would almost
certainly be destroyed by the grubs'
The reader is referred to Farmre's
Bulletin No. 6lSs Of the department. ef
Agriculture Tor further particulars
on the white grub. aG1