LIFE CYCLE OF THE GRUB

Actually the root grubs are the larvae of the beetle.It has four stages of development.While Lepidophora and Burmistry require two years to complete its life cycle Coniophora needs only one year.The eggs,larvae,and pupa were always in the soil.Only the beetles came out from the soil,have intercourse with other sex,eats its food and return to the soil.Every year it came out from the soil in the pre determined period and time.Beetles came out from the soil at the evening time,a little after sunset.Burmistry and Coniophora flys in the June month and Lepidophora flys in the month of July or August.This is only an indicator and the exact timing may vary from year to year depending upon the monsoon season. Immediately after the mating the beetles lays eggs in the soil.Eggs can be found in 6-60 inches depth of the soil.In about 15 days larvae came out from the egg.Its head has red colour with large size.Its body has white colour.Young larvae eats the organic matter in the soil. It reaches the second stage within 30-45 days. Now it is ready to eat roots of the arecanut plant.The grubs can be found around the arecanut palm.Its length may be 2.5-3cms. The grubs remain in this stage for about 2.5months or even more.Then it reaches the third stage.Lepidophora and Burmistry remains in the third stage for 14-18months.Most times farmers observe the grubs in this stage and it is almost impossible to control it now. After this stage the grubs enter the pupa stage.Pupa can be found 2-5feet below the surface.In about 15days pupa becomes beetle.The beetle remains in the soil waiting for the rain and appropriate time to emerge. THIS IS ONLY AN INDICATOR,EXACT TIME MAY VARY FROM PLACE TO PLACE.AS I AM ONLY A FARMER AND NOT AN EXPERT THERE MAY BE MISTAKES IN THE WRITINGS.