University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Contributions to a Knowledge of the Natural Enemies of Phyllophaga

Davis, J.J.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/46065

Description

Title
Contributions to a Knowledge of the Natural Enemies of Phyllophaga
Author(s)
Davis, J.J.
Issue Date
1919-02
Keyword(s)
  • white-grubs
  • black digger-wasps
  • insect parasites
  • yellow-banded digger-wasps
Abstract
On account of the difficulty of controlling the common white-grubs, which pass ninety-fiver per cent of their life under ground, their natural enemies are of unusual importance to the farmer. No one species of animal can be regarded as t he most important check on the increase of the grub, but of its insect enemies the black digger-wasps belonging to the genus Tiphia are undoubtedly the most generally common and widespread, and are among the most effective insect parasites of white-grubs. In some sections the yellow-banded digger-wasps of the genus Elis are abundant, and in others asilid larvae of one species or another are of considerable importance. Two-winged flies of the ortalid genus Pyrgota and others of the family Tachinidae parasitize the beetles, are generally distributed and serve as significant checks. Among the native mammals and birds the skunk and crow stand out as models of efficiency in grub eradication. Diseases of various kinds are effective sporadically, but their occurrence is too infrequent, too local, and too dependent on weather conditions to make them as generally useful and reliable as the insects, mammals, and birds mentioned above.
Publisher
Champaign : Illinois Natural History Survey
Series/Report Name or Number
Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin; v. 013, no. 05
ISSN
0073-4918
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/46065
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Copyright 2009 University of Illinois Board of Trustees. All rights reserved.

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