DESCRIPTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF WHITE GRUBS (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE) THAT ATTACK PINEAPPLE CROPS IN SOUTH-AFRICA

Larvae of five species of scarabaeid beetles, Asthenopholis subfasciat a Blanchard, Trochalus politus Moser, Macrophylla ciliata Herbst, Cong ela valida Peringuey and Adoretus ictericus Burmeister, and adults of a sixth species, Heteronychus arator (Fabricius), cause considerable e conomic damage to the root systems of pineapple plants. The biologies of the species differ, making reliable identification essential. Since no convenient method is available to identify them, both field and la boratory keys are provided for the identification of third instar larv ae of the six species, and detailed, illustrated descriptions for conf irming their identifications.