The wireworm, Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal), and the white grub, Cyclocephala parallela Casey, are important pests of Florida sugarcane. The objective of this study was to determine the orientation of fed and starved M. communis and C. parallela larvae to ethanol concentrations in soil. Tests were conducted in rectangular glass containers and circular aluminum containers containing sandy soil and marked off into zones with and without ethanol. Insects were held 48 h in containers and insect movement among zones recorded. At a high ethanol concentration (10 ml ethanol/860 cm³ soil), both species became comatose, negating any measurement of movement. However, at a low ethanol concentration (2.5 ml ethanol/860 cm³ soil), both species were attracted to ethanol in the soil.