4G0 



COLEOPTERA. 



effected by extending the protliorax so as to bring the proster- 

 nal spine to the anterior part of the mesosternal cavity, then 

 suddenly relaxing the nuiscles so that the spine descends 

 violently into the cavity, the force given by this sudden move- 

 ment causes the base of the elytra to strike the supporting 

 surface, and b}^ their elasticity the whole body is propelled 

 upward." 



The larviB, known by the name of AVire-worms, are vegetable 

 feeders, living on the roots of grass, wheat, corn, potatoes, 

 turnips and other garden vegetables. Fig. 419 (enlarged 

 Y foin- times) represents a larva of this family found by 

 Mr. Sanborn in the roots of the squash vine. The eggs 

 are laid ])robably in pastures and fallen ground where 

 the surface is undisturbed, or in the vicinity of rotten 

 wood. The larvoe moult three times, and some species 

 are known to live in this state five years. When fully 

 grown they transform in an earthen cocoon, and may 

 be seen rising out of the ground dining the summer, 

 ^''^^ *^^' especially in June. The larvae are very long cylin- 

 drical (whence their name wire-worm), hard -bodied and diflB- 

 cult to kill, and are generally pale testaceous, or yellowish red 

 in color. The}' have only six thoracic legs, and a slight anal 

 prop-leg ; the body is flattened towards the head and tail. 



Euciiemis differs from the true Elaters in the serrate an- 

 tennae being inserted in approximate grooves at the margin of . 

 the thorax beneath, which makes the clypeus narrow. The 

 species do not leap so vigorously as those of 

 other leaping genera. Fornax differs from 

 Encncmis in the antennae being filiform. 

 Adelocera (Fig. 420, A. obtecta Say) the 

 itI joint of the antennae is equal to, or 

 larger than the fourth. In Elater and its 

 allies, the antenniB are widely separated, 

 being inserted in small cavities (foveae) 

 under the margin of the front, and before 

 the eyes. Alans ocvlatus P2sch. is the largest 

 Elater we have, the scutellum is oval, and the elytra have a 

 broad margin. The genus Elater has the front of the head 

 convex and margined quite broadly, and the thorax is always 



t^ll^^h. In ^ 

 Mas thir, 



Fig. 420. 



