THh. CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST iU 



Cicindela limbalis var. awemeana Casey. 



This insect, in its adult state, is usually found on semi-moist roads, on 

 similar moist areas along river banks or on pocket gopher hills in openings 

 among semi-wooded areas. In autunm it seeks rather higher situations in which 

 to hibernate. The larvae occur in much the same places as the beetles, but are 

 more easily discovered on the old gopher mounds that have become firm through 

 the combined action of snow, rain and time. 



In 1916, I came across a single gopher hill on cjuite high ground in which 

 were no less than 16 burrows, most of which contained almost mature larvae. 

 These were marked for further observation and on August 8th dug up. The 

 result showed 11 beetles about to emerge, 5 empty holes from which adults 

 had issued, several parasite cocoons and a dead larva from which were coming 

 numerous minute hymenopterous insects which were secured. These latter 

 were afterwards determined by Mr. Girault, through the courtesy of Dr. Howard, 

 as Tetrastichiis microrhopala x'\shm. There was also one living larva which would 

 undoubtedly winter over and become a beetle the following year. Pupal cells 

 were always either in, or very close to, the larval burrow and the average length 

 of the two combined was three inches, while the deepest slightly exceeded four 

 Inches, and the shallowest two inches. The single larva had a burrow measuring 

 four and a half inches, which represented the height of the gopher hill. This 

 seems to be the usual depth even in winter time, as the larvae, apparently, are 

 unable to dig through the sod found below the mounds. 



The beetles are also content with shallow winter burrows which seldom 

 exceed a foot in depth. 



Eleodes tricostata Say. 



While in\estigating wirewcrms in grain fields during 1915, a new form of 

 injury- was noted which, in many respects, resembled the work of cutworms. 

 This on close inspection, I traced to an active wireworm-like larva having 

 indeed a close superficial resemblance to a true wireworm, but showing structural 

 characters which placed it among the Tenehrionidce. Specimens collected were 

 about an inch in length, shiny, brownish-slate in colour above, with a blackish 

 head, a light undersurface and a dark stripe along the ventral side. Pupation 

 took place about August 18 and adults emerged the second week in September. 

 The habits of these Eleodes larvce closely resemble those of ordinary cut- 

 worms, Eiixoa spp. They appear above the ground at night, run actively 

 about until they locate a suitable plant for food purposes, and then usually 

 devour the leaves above ground, but at times, cut the stem ofT close to the 

 surface. Their method of attack is generally told from that of cutworms by 

 the plant being eaten above ground instead of being partly dragged under and 

 eaten from below. The larvae are very general feeders. In a wheat field the>' 

 preferred lamVj's quarters but ate wheat plants readily also. In captivity they 

 feed upon various plants including red-root, pigweed, lambs' quarters, Russian 

 thistle, tumble weed, Russian pigweed, wild buckwheat, hares-ear mustard, 

 tumbling mustard, cabbage, turnip, beets, wheat, oats, barley and rye. It is 

 also noteworthy that bran was consumed readih'. Hence, there is reason to 

 expect that the usual poisoned baits as used for cutworms would prove equally 

 efficient in the control of this insect. 



