CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMMON INSECTS 295 



LarvcE. — Slender, cylindrical, yellowish or reddish-brown, wire-like 

 grub, mostly vegetable feeders, in the ground; more than an inch long 

 when full grown. Require 2 to 5 years to reach maturity. 



Pupa. — A soft white body resembling the adult in form, in a pupal 

 cell in the ground. 





Fig. 194. — Drasterius elegaris. {After Forbes.) 



Agriotes mancus Say {Wheat Wireworm). — Mating takes place in 

 April and May, and eggs are laid immediately in grass lands. The 

 larvae feed for 2 full years, pupating in July. The pupal stage lasts 

 from 2 to 3 weeks in the pupal cell about 5 inches below the surface. 

 Larvae have been reported feeding on the roots of wheat, corn, turnip, 

 cabbage, cucumber and carrot; on potato tubers and on corn seed. 



