57 



The Eed Grain Beetle. 

 (Silvanus cassice, Reiche.) 



The 

 about 



one-ninth of an inch in length 



red grain beetle is a small flat reddish brown insect, 



The adult beetle is 

 represented as 

 enlarged at c 

 figure 13 ; the 

 pupa at h ; and 

 the larva at a. 

 I The lines at the 

 side of each 

 shows the natu- 

 ral size. 



These beetles 

 infest corn more 

 ^ particularly. 



Fig. 13. Red Grain Beetle ; a, larva; b, pupa; The eggs are 

 c, adult. All enlarged. deposited at the 



base of the kernels, either in the field or in the bin. The 

 larvae enter the kernels, and feed as a rule only upon the 

 softer lower portion; and when mature make their pupae 

 within the corn. More than one larva may develop in a single 

 kernel. There are several broods each year ; in some locali- 

 ties as many as nine. The beetles are quite lively, and will 

 seek shelter when disturbed ; the larvae rarely make their 

 presence known, and as a result these insects often remain 

 unobserved until they have accomplished considerable 

 damage. 



