INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CEREALS 229 



inch long. The abdominal segments have curious fringed 

 expansions on each edge and the last segment of the 

 abdomen terminates in two spines, sharp and dark-colored 

 at the tips (Plate III). 



Methods of control. — The darker meal-worm may be 

 controlled by the same methods as the yellow meal-worm. 



THE YELLOW MEAL-WORM 



Tenebrio molitor 



The larva of this beetle is much like that of the darker 

 one just described in size, shape, and general appearance 

 except that it is lighter in color. The larva is about one 

 inch in length, cylindrical in shape with hardened shining 

 skin, much resembling a wireworm in appearance. It is 

 yellowish in color, shading to a darker tinge at each end 

 and at the joining of the segments. The last segment of 

 the larva terminates in two small spines, although West- 

 wood and Packard describe it as having but one spine. 



The beetle closely resembles Tenebrio obscurus in shape 

 and general appearance. The color, however, of this 

 beetle is shining black, while Tenebrio obscurus is of a dead 

 opaque black. 



The white eggs of the beetle are deposited among the 

 meal or cereal upon which the larvse are expected to feed. 

 The eggs are covered with a sticky material and the par- 

 ticles of meal adhere to them. Sometimes the eggs are 

 laid singly and sometimes in bunches. In ten days to 

 two weeks or more, depending upon the temperature, the 

 eggs hatch and the tiny white meal-worms appear. They 

 begin to feed at once and soon take on their yellowish, 

 glossy appearance. The larvae take a considerable period 



