C|c Canaiiaii ^ 



VOL. XIII. 



LONDON, ONT., JUNE, 1881. 



No. 6 



ENTOMOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS. 



BY THE EDITOR. 



THE EYED ELATER^-Alaus oculatus. 



This is the largest of our Elaters or " spring beetles," and is found 

 with its larva in the decaying wood of old apple and other trees. The 



beetle, fig. 7, is about an inch and a half — sometimes 

 more — in length, of a black color, sprinkled with 

 numerous whitish dots. On the thorax there are two 

 large velvety black eye-like spots, from which has 

 arisen the common name of the insect. The thorax 

 is about one third the length of the body and is pow- 

 dered with whitish ; the wing cases are ridged with 

 longitudinal lines, and the under side of the body 

 and legs thickly powdered with white. It is found in 

 the perfect state in June and July ; is active in the 

 daytime, flying about with a loud buzzing noise. 

 Fig. 7. The mature larva, which attains its full growth 



early in April, is about two and a half inches long, nearly four-tenths of 

 an inch across about the middle, tapering slightly towards each extremity. 

 The head is broad, brownish and rough above, the jaws very strong, curved 

 and pointed, the terminal segment of the body blackish, roughened with 

 small pointed tubercles, with a deep semi-circular notch at the end, armed 

 at the sides with small teeth, the two hindermost of which are long, forked 

 and curved upwards like hooks. Under this hinder segment is a large 

 fleshy foot, armed behind with little claws, and around the sides with short 

 spines ; it has six true legs, a pair under each of the first three segments. 

 Early in spring the larva casts its skin and becomes a chrysaUs, and in 

 due time emerges a perfect beetle. 



This beetle, when placed upon its back on a flat surface, has the 

 power of springing suddenly into the air, and while moving, turning its 



