146 



ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY 



a characteristic shield shape. The larvae are known as wire-worms 



and are among the worst pests of corn and small grains. Some 



wire-worms live under bark and in 

 decaying wood, the adult of one of 

 these being the common eyed elater 

 (Alans ocnlatus], a large species an 

 inch and a half long, blackish, flecked 

 with gray, with two large, velvet-black, 

 white-rimmed eyespots on the thorax, 

 which give it a very wise appearance. 

 The metallic wood-borers (Bupres- 

 tidae) have much the same general 

 shape as the click-beetles, but the 

 tips of the elytra are more pointed, 

 the beetles are 

 unable to spring, 

 and their colors 

 are metallic. The 

 adults are medi- 

 um-sized beetles, 

 often found on 

 flowers or bark, 



and do no harm as adults. The larvae are 



flat, whitish grubs with small, brown heads 



FIG. 206. The eyed elater (A/am 

 ocnlatus.} (Slightly enlarged) 



(After Linville and Kelly) 



FIG. 207. a, beetle of wheat wire-worm (Agriotcs wancus)', f>, beetle of Drasterhis 



elegans ; c, larva of same. (Much enlarged) 



(After Forbes) 



