WiREWORMS. 



89 



--4^ 



fields, in our State; Professor Forhes found an allied species 

 {M. cribulosus) nuich more common in Illinois corn 

 fields. The insect is widely distributed, ranging at least 

 from Nebraska to New Jersey aiid Canada. 



Its life-liistory . — The mature wire- 

 worms vary in lenscth from 25 mm. to 30 

 mm. They are of a light brown 

 color, with the head, thorax and last 

 segment considerably darker. (They 

 are described in detail in Bulletin 33, p 

 2fi5). Figure 25 shows the character- 

 istics of the caudal segment of this 25--Caudal segment of 



o Ihe wire worm of 



wire worm, and figure 26 (although it is of mSnfs" greatiy^^en- 

 the closely allied species M. cribulosus) b1?K ^^ ^^^ °^" 

 will serve equally well to show the principal features of 

 the whole worm. 



The insect spends at least three years as a wireworm ; 

 one specimen lived in our cages for nearly two 

 years. The change to a pupa takes place in earthen 

 cells during July. The pupa is white and tender, and 



( Melan.jtus i x i ^i • i i. 



cribulosus), changcs to a beetle m about ^^■^■ 



enlarged ^ xi -m • • i 



diameters a moutli, ilie principal 



(after For- . . ^ ~ , 



bes). characteristics of the slend- 



er, glossy, dark brown beetle are well 

 shown in figure 27. They remain in 

 earthen cells in the soil all winter, 

 emerging in May. The secret of the 

 rest of their life remains with na- 

 ture. 



4. Drasterias elegans^ Fabr. 



This species of wireworm is widely 

 distributed over the countrv, and has 

 been reported as exceedingly abundant 27.— Meianotus communis, the adult, 



, \ , . enlarged four diameters (after 



and injurious to young wheat in Forbes). 



Indiana. We have found it quite abundant in sod land here. 



Its life-history. — Notwithstanding its abundance, comparatively 

 little is known of the life of this insect. It is one of the smallest of 



26.— The corn 

 wire worm 



