750 



FAMILY XXXVII. ELATEIUDJE. 



Fig. 2Sfi. X 4. 



X 



(After Forbes.) 



*1414 (4323). MELANOTUS COMMUNIS Gyll., Schon. Syn. Ins., Ill, 1817, 138. 



Resembles flssilis but more slender 

 and paler brown in color. Thorax not 

 wider than elytra, not longer than wide 

 and with a distinct median impressed line 

 on basal half; disk less densely and more 

 Hnely punctured than in flssilis or dccn- 

 manus. Length 11.5-14 mm. (Fig. 280.) 

 The most abundant click beetle in 

 tlie State. Hibernates in the same 

 places as //.s'.s-/ 7 /.s> and often occurs in 

 company with that species. January 

 1 -l-December 25. Both this species 

 and //xx/7/.s are attracted by electric 

 light in May and June. Their larva; 

 are among the most injurious wire- 

 worms preying upon corn. The larval 

 stage extends over three or four years 



and til;' change to a pupa takes place in July or August. From 



these pup.e the hibernating beetles begin to emerge in about one 



month. 



*l-i:.j (4:522). MELANOTUS FISSILIS Say, Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc.. VI. 18:50, 



183; ibid. II. G21. 



Elongate, rather robust. Dark smoky 

 brown or piceous, sparsely pubescent. Third 

 joint of a n ten use in.; re than twice the 

 length of second, one-third shorter than 

 fourth. Thorax slightly wider than long, 

 widest at middle, sides rounded ; basal fis- 

 sures very distinct ; surface coarsely punc- 

 tured, more densely on sides. Elytra grad- 

 ually attenuate from base to apex, stria? 

 with creuate punctures; intervals flat, 

 sparsely and finely punctulate and trans- 

 versely wrinkled. Length 13-17 mm. ( Fig. 

 287.) 



Throughout the State, common 

 more so in the southern counties. 

 January 5-Xovember 23. Hibernates 

 beneath loose bark, mullein leaves and 

 rulibish and in cracks of logs in dry 

 localities: usually three to a dozen or 

 more close together. The females are 

 much larger and have the disk of thorax more coarsely and densely 

 punctate than the males. 



Fig. 287. X 4. (After Forbes) 



