t 4 8 THE STUDY OF INSECTS 



The larvae are long, narrow, worm-like creatures, very even in width, 

 with a very hard cuticula, and are brownish or yellowish in color (Fig. 



251). They are commonly known as wire- 

 \v< >rms, a name suggested by the form 

 and hardness of the body. 



Some wireworms live under the bark 

 of trees and in rotten wood; but many 

 of them live in the ground, and feed on 

 seeds and the roots of grass and grain. In fact there is hardly a culti- 

 vated plant that they do not infest, and, working as they do beneath the 

 surface of the ground, it is extremely difficult to destroy them. They 

 are very apt to attack the plants at the most susceptible period of 

 their growth, before they have attained sufficient size and strength to 

 withstand the attack; and often seed is destroyed before it is germinated. 

 There is a vast number of species of click-beetles; more than five 

 hundred have been described from North America alone. It is quite 

 difficult to separate the closely allied species, as there is but little varia- 

 tion in shape and color. 



The corn wireworm beetle, Melanotics communis, is a graceful brown 

 beetle about \ an inch in length (Fig. 249). The larva, or wireworm is 



about 1 j inches in length, cylindrical and shining brown 

 extends over a period of five years in most cases. 



The wheat wireworm beetle, Agriotes mancus, is a 

 small brown beetle about § of an inch in length. The 

 larva, or wireworm is about one inch long and as large 

 as the lead in a pencil. The life cycle extends over a 

 period of three years. 



The eyed elater, Alaus oculatus. — Although most 

 of our click-beetles are of moderate size, we have a 

 few species that are large. The most common of 

 these is the eyed elater. This is the great pepper- 

 and-salt-colored beetle that has two large, black, vel- 

 vety, eye-like spots on the pro thorax (Fig. 252). These 

 are not its eyes, however. The true eyes are situated 

 one on each side of the head near the base of the an- 

 tenna. This insect varies greatly in size, some individ- 

 uals being not more than half as large as others. 

 The larger larvae are about two and a half inches long 

 fifths of an inch wide across the middle of the bodv. 



The life cycle 



Fig. 252. 



and nearly two- 

 They are carniv- 



orous and are often found in the trunks of old apple-trees. 



Family Buprestids 

 The Metallic Wood-borers or Buprestids 



The buprestids resemble the click-beetles somewhat in form, being 

 rather long and narrow; but they are easily recognized by their metallic 

 coloring. Their bodies are hard and inflexible, and usually appear as if 

 made of bronze; but some species exhibit the brightest of metallic colors. 

 The antennae are serrate; the first and second abdominal segments are 

 grown together on the ventral side; and these beetles do not have the 

 power of springing when placed on the back. 



