Unlike the caterpillars of moths, there are very few beetles in New Zealand that are important leaf-feeders. Though few in numbers, however, the outstanding ones are very destructive. The beetles themselves, as well as their larvæ, according to the species, may attack foliage, but in other cases it is only the beetles that feed on foliage while their larvæ live underground on roots. The following species are outstanding:-- COCKCHAFERS.--These are the adults of the grass grubs, and there are several species, all native to New Zealand. The commonest and most destructive one (Fig. 11, 1a) is the so-called brown beetle (_Odontria zealandica_), misnamed the “turnip fly,” which is on the wing for about six weeks each year, during November and early December as a rule. It swarms at dusk, creating a loud, droning sound, and is responsible for widespread damage by defoliating garden plants and field crops, as well as trees. [Illustration: FIG. 11. (1) a, Brown-chafer beetle; b, antenna of beetle, showing finger-like processes; c, larva or grass grub. (2) Bronze beetle. (3) a, Gum-tree weevil; b, egg capsule; c, larva. (4) Eucalyptus tortoise beetle. (5) a, Pear saw-fly; b, larva from the side; c, larva from above. (6) Pear midge.] This beetle is easily identified. It is rather plump-bodied, brownish, smooth, and measures about three-eighths of an inch long. Like all beetles, the front wings are hard, and form a cover over the body when closed; these hardened wings, or elytra, do not reach quite to the end of the abdomen, the tip of which remains uncovered. Another definite character is found in the antennæ, which terminate in finger-like processes (Fig. 11, 1b). There are several species of cockchafers, to which all these characteristics, except the colour, might be referred, but none is so abundant as the species under review. There is one, however, that is on the wing about the same time as, or a little earlier than, the brown beetle. This species is somewhat larger, about half an inch long; it is sparsely clothed with hair, and the elytra are marked by broad brown stripes, alternated with very narrow darker ones. The brown beetle lays its spherical eggs in the ground, preferably amongst the roots of grass, strawberries, etc. The grubs (Fig. 11, 1c) are well known as grass grubs; they are whitish in colour, the swollen terminal segment of the abdomen being very often darker. These grubs are sometimes called “curl-grubs,” from their habit of lying doubled-up when at rest or feeding in the ground. Towards September each year the grubs of the brown beetle pupate prior to the beetles emerging in November. These grubs will be referred to later under the chapter dealing with subterranean insects.